Search Results (127)

International trade plays a pivotal role in shaping global supply chains, which are increasingly vulnerable to disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, pandemics, and environmental disasters. These disturbances, particularly in maritime logistics, can trigger cascading effects across global industries. This study aims to identify and prioritize strategic responses to such disruptions by employing a combined qualitative exploratory approach and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Expert judgments were obtained from 32 senior professionals across the maritime logistics and port management sectors during a structured evaluation conducted in the second quarter of 2025. AHP was utilized to systematically assess these inputs and determine the relative importance of resilience strategies. The results emphasize the need for adaptive, proactive, and sustainable logistics approaches to ensure long-term stability in maritime trade. By bridging a gap in the literature concerning integrated assessment of disruption responses, the study offers valuable insights for industry stakeholders and policymakers navigating an increasingly volatile global trade environment. Full article

In the context of global climate governance and the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) stringent carbon reduction targets, the transition to green shipping fuels faces systemic challenges in supply chain coordination. This study focuses on the strategic interactions between governments and enterprises in the construction of green fuel supply chains. By constructing a multidimensional scenario framework encompassing time, technological development, social attention, policy intensity, and market competition, and using evolutionary game models and system dynamics simulations, we reveal the dynamic evolution mechanism of government–enterprise decision making. System dynamics simulations reveal that (1) short-term government intervention accelerates infrastructure development but risks subsidy inefficiency; (2) medium-term policy stability and market-driven mechanisms are critical for sustaining enterprise investments; and (3) high social awareness and mature technologies significantly reduce strategic uncertainty. This research advances the application of evolutionary game theory in sustainable supply chains and offers a decision support framework for balancing governmental roles and market forces in maritime decarbonization. Full article

Background: Foundational research on the gamma distribution and inventory control highlighted its flexibility and practicality for managing fast-moving finished goods. Nonetheless, concerns remain about conventional statistical approximations of lead-time demand (LTD) distributions. Real-world lead times often result in nonstandard LTD forms, and traditional methods may introduce parameter mismatches under nonclassical conditions. Despite these challenges, this research demonstrates that a gamma LTD approximation is an effective method for managing these goods. Methods: This study employs numerical experiments to assess accuracy at high service levels, focusing on errors in system cost and product availability. Three propositions are validated: (1) a standard distribution generally characterizes the demands of fast-moving items; (2) demand variability systematically modifies the form of nonstandard LTD distributions, enhancing accuracy; (3) nonclassical conditions generally improve the accuracy of properly parameterized gamma approximations. A purposive sample of disruptive lead-time distributions found in global maritime supply chains drives numerical experiments. Results: Externally validated evidence provides the following findings within our study context: (1) a nonstandard lead-time distribution does not necessarily result in a similar LTD distribution, as it also depends on demand variability; (2) demand variability positively affects the form of a nonstandard LTD distribution under conventional conditions, with nonclassical conditions enhancing this effect; (3) the shape transformations almost always improve the accuracy of a gamma approximation. Conclusions: A gamma LTD approximation can manage inventory for fast-moving finished goods effectively, even with disruptive lead times under both conventional and nonclassical conditions. Full article

The shipping industry, a cornerstone of global trade, faces emissions reduction challenges amid tightening environmental policies. Blockchain technology, leveraging distributed symmetric architectures, enhances supply chain transparency by reducing information asymmetry, yet its dynamic interplay with emissions strategies remains underexplored. This study employs symmetry-driven differential game theory to model four blockchain scenarios in port-shipping networks: no blockchain (N), port-led (PB), shipping company-led (CB), and a joint platform (FB). By solving Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations, we derive optimal emissions reduction efforts, green investments, and blockchain strategies under symmetric and asymmetric decision-making frameworks. Results show blockchain adoption improves emissions reduction and service quality under cost thresholds, with port-led systems maximizing low-cost profits and shipping firms gaining asymmetrically in high-freight contexts. Joint platforms achieve symmetry in profit distribution through fee-trust synergy, enabling win–win outcomes. Integrating graph-theoretic principles, we have designed dynamic state equations for emissions and service levels, segmenting shippers by low-carbon preferences. This work bridges dynamic emissions strategies with blockchain’s network symmetry, fostering economic–environmental synergies to advance sustainable maritime supply chains. Full article

The maritime industry is crucial in mitigating global warming and advancing sustainable maritime development worldwide. As essential nodes in maritime supply chains and key energy hubs, ports must undergo decarbonization to support global sustainability efforts. Research on port decarbonization (PD) has gained increasing attention in recent years, with several reviews revisiting this topic. However, most existing studies have focused on specific aspects such as measures or policies rather than a holistic perspective. This study adopts a comprehensive approach by examining three key perspectives: PD measures, PD facilitation activities, and PD macro-environmental factors. By systematically analyzing 218 articles retrieved from the Scopus database through bibliometric and content analysis, this study identifies trends over time, geographic distribution, key journals, leading authors, prominent themes, research clusters, researched countries, and methodologies. Key findings highlight the following priorities: (i) broadening the focus to include various port types; (ii) more studies on ports in lower-middle-income economies; (iii) promoting cross regional and international research collaboration; (iv) studying alternative fuels and diversified PD measures through theoretical lenses, innovative, practical, and multifaceted perspectives, and within the context of green corridors and global and regional PD efforts; (v) identifying effective governance models, human resources strategies, infrastructure development, and collaboration mechanisms; and (vi) addressing the direct and indirect impacts of political, legal, and macro-environmental factors on PD. Full article

Background: The transition to low-carbon economies has become a global priority, particularly in sectors with high greenhouse gas emissions, such as maritime transport. Renewable fuels, especially methanol, have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional fossil fuels due to their potential to reduce carbon footprints and contribute to sustainable logistics systems. Methods: This study employs a combined qualitative and quantitative approach to assess the impact of renewable fuel production on maritime transport decarbonization. The analysis integrates economic feasibility, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits, providing a comprehensive evaluation of methanol’s role in reducing emissions. Results: Findings indicate that methanol offers significant potential for the decarbonization of maritime transport. Its relatively low production costs and high energy density position it as a viable alternative to traditional fuels. Additionally, the study highlights the substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that methanol adoption could achieve, reinforcing its role in mitigating climate change effects. Conclusions: The study concludes that integrating methanol as a primary fuel in maritime transport can accelerate the sector’s decarbonization. However, successful implementation depends on supportive policy regulations and further research to optimize production and supply chain integration. The findings emphasize the strategic importance of renewable fuels in developing sustainable and resilient logistics systems. Full article

Maritime carbon responsibility allocation can guide sea level rise and storm surge mitigation in BRICS coastal zones by addressing emissions-driven climate risks. This study analyzes the characteristics of and differences in embodied carbon emissions in the Maritime Transport Industry of the BRICS countries from the perspectives of producer responsibility, consumer responsibility, and shared responsibility, based on a global value chain framework. Using non-competitive input–output data from the OECD and introducing a processing trade adjustment mechanism, the study calculates the carbon emissions of the five countries from 1995 to 2018. The empirical results show that under producer responsibility, carbon emissions in China and South Africa’s maritime transport sectors are mainly driven by exports, with production-side emissions significantly higher than consumption-side emissions. Under consumer responsibility, emissions in India and Brazil are driven by the demand for imported goods, reflecting their high reliance on external markets. In shared responsibility accounting, China’s cumulative carbon emissions account for 66.81% of the total emissions from the five countries, highlighting its central role in global supply chains. The study also finds that the differences in carbon emissions among the countries are mainly due to differences in economic structures, trade dependencies, and consumption patterns. Different responsibility accounting methods have a significant impact on carbon emissions, with export-oriented countries tending to weaken producer responsibility, while import-oriented countries seek to avoid consumer responsibility. The shared responsibility mechanism, through the dynamic allocation coefficient $\alpha$, provides a practical approach to balancing efficiency and equity in global carbon governance. Full article

The maritime industry plays a key role in the global supply chain. Advanced digital technologies bring significant economic benefits to ports and shipowners, but at the same time increase the risks of cyber threats and attacks. This article aims to provide guidelines and examples of good practice that will help in the effective implementation of cyber risk assessment, cyber resilience and cyber sustainability, which are the products of increasingly pronounced challenges. The interconnection of ports requires operators to achieve and maintain a baseline level of cybersecurity to ensure security across the entire port ecosystem. The development of new technologies in areas such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, etc., contributes to the fact that monitoring and control systems in the maritime industry are becoming increasingly exposed to cyber threats and various forms of cyberattacks. The connection of vessels with systems on land in real time presents a necessary element in meeting the intended goals in the digital transformation of the maritime sector. This results in increasingly frequent work on specific software solutions within the maritime sector. With the adoption of new operational technologies (OT) and information technologies (IT), the desire for more efficient supply chains and operations of shipping in general has been realized, but at the same time the level of cybersecurity has decreased. The research results aim to encourage port operators and shippers to develop a series of good practices in order to develop an appropriate level of cybersecurity, resilience, and sustainability. Full article

The ports and shipping industry is crucial in the global supply chain. Amid complex market and geopolitical dynamics, strengthening stakeholder collaboration becomes imperative to enhance maritime supply chain profit. Therefore, we develop a three-stage game model consisting of a port operator and a shipping company. We consider the impact of upgrading port facilities with advanced technology on the logistic decisions of the shipping company. In the first stage, the port decides whether to invest in upgrades, while the shipping company chooses one-way or two-way logistics. In subsequent stages, the port sets cargo handling charges, and the shipping company determines the freight rate. Equilibria under decentralized and centralized decision frameworks are derived. The equilibrium results show that market size has a significant effect on the shipping company’s choice. Specifically, the shipping company prefers two-way logistics when the market size is moderate, while one-way logistics is preferred when the market size is large or small. In addition, based on the fixed costs associated with port facility upgrades and two-way logistics, it is found that there exist three possible equilibria. Moreover, further analysis suggests that collaboration between the two parties, under appropriate financial conditions, can result in mutually beneficial outcomes. Our findings highlight the critical role of port–shipping company collaboration in enhancing operational efficiency and achieving greater mutual benefits. Full article

As the global market for shipping perishable goods expands, the substantial loss and high claim costs associated with these goods have drawn increasing attention. Blockchain technology (BCT) can improve customs clearance efficiency and reduce perishable goods loss. However, the high investment costs present a clear trade-off between enhancing clearance efficiency to mitigate loss and claims costs and the financial burden of BCT adoption. Additionally, determining which stakeholder should invest in BCT has become a critical strategic issue. To address this, we develop three Stackelberg game models to investigate the optimal BCT investment strategies for different entities—the port and the shipping company—in the maritime supply chain. Building on previous models in the existing literature, we incorporate the perishable goods loss rate and claim costs to offer new insights into how the perishable goods loss rate influences BCT investment outcomes. The results reveal that when the shipping company invests in BCT, if its BCT investment cost coefficient is within a certain range, a higher perishable goods loss rate can generate higher profits for both the port and the shipping company. Furthermore, our findings indicate that BCT investment enhances consumer surplus and social welfare in the maritime supply chain when considering perishable goods loss. Full article

This study addresses the critical gap between academic training and the competency demands of the maritime logistics and port management sector. Using a mixed-methods approach, it integrates benchmarking of postgraduate programs from leading universities, interviews with 15 stakeholders representing diverse industry profiles, and an in-depth curriculum analysis. The research identifies and categorizes essential technical, management, and interpersonal competencies, culminating in the development of a Competency Matrix to guide the alignment of academic curricula with industry requirements. Key competencies identified include strategic decision-making, operations management, data analysis, adaptability, teamwork, and customer engagement, all of which are critical to ensuring efficiency and competitiveness in the sector. This study introduces an innovative framework by combining benchmarking with qualitative insights, addressing a crucial gap in the literature while offering actionable strategies for academia to enhance training programs. The findings highlight the urgent need for universities to develop courses tailored to global challenges, such as digitalization, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. Although this study is exploratory and based on a limited sample size, it provides meaningful insights into the Portuguese maritime and port logistics sector, laying a solid foundation for future research. Further studies should investigate how innovation and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, are reshaping competency requirements in this dynamic and globalized industry. Full article

Maritime transport is a pivotal logistics mode for the long-distance and bulk transportation of goods. However, the intricate planning involved in this mode is often hindered by uncertainties, including weather conditions, cargo diversity, and port dynamics, leading to increased costs. Consequently, accurate estimation of the total (stay) time of the vessel and any delays at the port are essential for efficient planning and scheduling of port operations. This study aims to develop predictive analytics to address the shortcomings in the previous works of port operations for a vessel’s Stay Time and Delay Time, offering a valuable contribution to the field of maritime logistics. The proposed solution is designed to assist decision-making in port environments and predict service delays. This is demonstrated through a case study on Brazil’s ports, where the best performance is observed for tree-based methods. Additionally, feature analysis is used to understand and interpret key factors impacting maritime logistics, enhancing the overall understanding of the complexities involved in port operations. Full article

Transitioning carriers to low-emission technologies requires huge investment, and subsidies have proven to be efficient tools in overcoming cost barriers. In this study, game-theoretic models were formulated to study the impact of subsidies on carbon emissions reduction with green shippers in a price-competitive environment. Equilibrium solutions for three scenarios were derived through model analysis, followed by numerical analyses. The results indicate the following: (1) Government subsidies are effective and advantageous for decarbonization with carrier competition but will lower service prices, profits, and social welfare. (2) Intensified price competition leads to increases in carbon emissions, service prices, and social welfare while decreasing demands and profits in some scenarios. (3) Shippers’ green preferences have a positive effect on carbon emission reduction, profits, and social welfare. These findings provide valuable managerial insights for both the government and shipping companies in promoting a more sustainable environment. Full article

Collaborative information sharing in the maritime logistics supply chain is essential for achieving efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. However, numerous barriers hinder effective information sharing among key stakeholders, including port operators, shipping companies, and trucking firms. This study conducts an empirical analysis involving surveys and interviews with logistics industry experts in South Korea, applying the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) to identify and prioritize critical collaborative information-sharing barriers in the maritime logistics supply chain. Through a comprehensive literature review, a range of barriers was identified, and their relevance was validated through structured surveys with industry experts. The application of Fuzzy AHP, which incorporates the inherent uncertainty in human judgment, enabled the identification of the most critical barriers that require urgent resolution. Based on these findings, a robust and actionable framework is proposed to address the identified challenges, integrating insights from expert interviews and the literature. The framework encompasses strategies such as data standardization, advanced data security, enhanced service compatibility, policy and institutional improvements, and stakeholder engagement. By addressing these critical barriers, the proposed framework aims to foster seamless information sharing and collaboration, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the maritime logistics supply chain. Full article

The shift of European countries to more environmentally friendly sources of energy is leading to an increase in the share of natural gas in the energy mix. At the same time, the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of maritime transport are making liquefied natural gas (LNG) more competitive compared to traditional forms of natural gas, despite recent geopolitical, health and economic events threatening its supply chain. The aim of this study is to analyze the European LNG import network using network theory indicators to identify trading communities in the network and to investigate the security of supply through network failure simulation. The network model was developed using a programming code in MATLAB R2022B software. The results of the analysis can be summarized as follows: (a) a shift in the center of gravity of LNG trade from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic shores was identified; (b) a gradual consolidation of Europe’s import network was noted; (c) an increasing dependence of Europe on a limited number of countries was observed; and (d) the most critical nodes for network resilience were identified through modeling. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed to strengthen Europe’s energy security and independence. Full article