Sustainable Maritime Transport, Ports, Supply Chain Intelligence, and Marine Environmental Engineering

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, global maritime trade is operating within a complex and dynamic macro-environment. Over 80% of global trade relies on maritime transport, and trade volumes continue to rise. UNCTAD notes that global maritime trade reached 12.3 billion tons in 2023, grew by 2.4% to 12.6 billion tons in 2024, and is projected to reach approximately 12.9 billion tons in 2025. In this context, sustainable shipping, port intelligence, and marine environmental engineering have become critical drivers for the green transformation of the ocean economy. Simultaneously, with the interconnectivity of global supply chains, the intelligent and green transformation of ports and land transport is increasingly vital to address climate change, supply chain disruptions, and efficiency challenges.

Based on this, JMSE is inviting Prof. Chao Mi and Prof. Guangnian Xiao to establish a Special Issue entitled "Sustainable Maritime Transport, Ports, Supply Chain Intelligence, and Marine Environmental Engineering". This Special Issue aims to explore how technological innovation and engineering solutions can enhance maritime operational efficiency, minimize environmental impact, and promote smarter, more sustainable port management and international supply chain integration. We invite scholars and industry experts worldwide to share their research findings and contribute valuable insights to the sustainable development of the global shipping, port, and supply chain industries.

Historically, maritime transport has evolved from traditional labor-intensive operations to the era of containerization and, more recently, into the age of digitalization and automation (Industry 4.0). While early developments focused primarily on scale and speed to meet growing trade demands, the focus has shifted significantly in the last decade. The industry is now transitioning from purely economic-driven logistics to a complex ecosystem that prioritizes environmental sustainability and ecological safety. This evolution has given rise to the integration of Marine Environmental Engineering with port operations, marking a new historical stage where smart technologies are not just used for efficiency, but also for pollution control, decarbonization, and ecosystem protection. This Special Issue builds upon this historical trajectory, addressing the urgent need to merge legacy infrastructure with modern intelligence and green engineering standards.

Current cutting-edge research lies at the intersection of digitalization, decarbonization, and environmental resilience. We are witnessing a surge in studies focusing on Digital Twins for port management, which allow for real-time monitoring of both logistical flows and environmental parameters (such as water quality and emissions). In the realm of Marine Environmental Engineering, advanced research includes the development of eco-friendly dredging techniques, noise reduction technologies for ships, and ballast water treatment systems driven by AI optimization. Furthermore, the application of Blockchain and Big Data for transparent, low-carbon supply chain management represents a significant frontier. Scholars are also exploring the engineering challenges of retrofitting ports for alternative fuels (e.g., hydrogen, ammonia) and designing climate-resilient maritime infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.

What kind of paper we are looking for:

This Special Issue will cover review articles and original research on "Sustainable Maritime Transport, Ports, Supply Chain Intelligence, and Marine Environmental Engineering". We will focus on key issues such as intelligent operations management, smart equipment in maritime and port operations, sustainable shipping strategies, innovative practices in port management, marine environmental engineering applications, and the optimization and green transformation of international supply chains. Our goal is to provide useful ideas and solutions for the industry, including, but not limited to, the following topics:

1. Climate Change and Carbon Reduction Pathways in Shipping: Research on the impact of climate change on shipping and how the industry can achieve carbon reduction goals through technical innovation and policy guidance.
2. Port Digital Transformation and Smart Development: Analysis of digital and intelligent technologies in port management to improve operational efficiency and service quality.
3. Green Port Development and Marine Environmental Engineering: Case studies on green and low-carbon transitions in ports, discussing engineering measures to reduce environmental impact, manage waste, and promote green port construction.
4. Collaborative Innovation in Shipping and Ports: Analysis of collaboration between shipping and port sectors in technology innovation and service optimization.
5. Intelligent Operations Management in Maritime and Ports: Exploring the integration of digital technologies and AI to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making capabilities.
6. Smart Equipment in Maritime and Port Operations: Investigating advancements in smart maritime and port equipment, including automated vessels and intelligent cargo handling systems.
7. International Maritime Supply Chain Management: Exploring optimization strategies for global maritime supply chains, including resilience, risk management, and multimodal integration.
8. Port Intelligence and Green Transformation: Analyzing the application of AI, IoT, and big data in smart ports, as well as green operations such as renewable energy use.
9. Intelligence and Greening of Port and Land Transport: Research on the seamless connection between ports and land transport (rail, road), including smart traffic systems and electrification strategies.
10. Marine Environmental Engineering Technologies: Engineering solutions for pollution control, marine ecological protection, and sustainable infrastructure in maritime settings.

Prof. Dr. Chao Mi
Prof. Dr. Guangnian Xiao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.