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Sustainable Management of Shipping, Ports and Logistics
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Sustainable Management of Shipping, Ports and Logistics

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 6358

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Michael Tsatsaronis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Ports Management and Shipping, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Evripus Campus, 34400 Euboea, Greece
Interests: shipping analysis; sustainable development; port finance; econometric modelling
Prof. Dr. Theodore Syriopoulos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Port Management and Shipping Department, School of Economics and Political Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Interests: shipping finance and risk management; shipping investment and financing decisions; mergers, acquisitions and restructurings; ESG and sustainability in shipping
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the global maritime sector undergoes profound transformation, the sustainable management of shipping, ports, and logistics has emerged as a critical policy and economic priority. This Special Issue investigates the nexus of sustainability, regulation, and competitiveness within maritime transport systems. Emphasis is placed on the economic implications of decarbonization mandates, the geopolitical reshaping of trade routes, and the strategic role of ports as green growth hubs and logistics gateways. We invite contributions that explore how policy instruments—such as the EU ETS, Fit for 55, and IMO regulations—affect market structures, investment decisions, and innovation in maritime logistics. This issue also seeks to enhance understanding of how public–private partnerships, ESG frameworks, and green financing mechanisms shape the transition toward climate-neutral maritime infrastructure. Special attention is given to the role of emerging economies, regional disparities, and institutional governance in implementing effective and inclusive sustainability strategies. By combining political economy analysis with sectoral insights, this Special Issue aims to support informed policymaking and resilient maritime development in a rapidly evolving global context.

Dr. Michael Tsatsaronis
Prof. Dr. Theodore Syriopoulos
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. Sustainability 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 2400 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.

Keywords

  • sustainable shipping
  • green ports
  • maritime logistics
  • ESG in maritime industry
  • decarbonization
  • environmental management
  • digitalization and innovation
  • climate resilience
  • supply chain sustainability
  • maritime policy and governance

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 980 KB  
Article
Intelligent Agents for Sustainable Maritime Logistics: Architectures, Applications, and the Path to Robust Autonomy
by Marko Rosić, Dean Sumić and Lada Maleš
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3231; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073231 - 26 Mar 2026
Viewed by 391
Abstract
The maritime industry is under increased challenges of balancing operational effectiveness and environmental responsibility. This study examines the application of intelligent agents as a technology that can align these two goals in the triple-bottom-line model that involves social responsibility, environmental footprint, and economic [...] Read more.
The maritime industry is under increased challenges of balancing operational effectiveness and environmental responsibility. This study examines the application of intelligent agents as a technology that can align these two goals in the triple-bottom-line model that involves social responsibility, environmental footprint, and economic sustainability. An agent architecture taxonomy is outlined and adapted to the maritime industry, distinguishing between reactive, deliberative, hybrid, and multi-agent systems (MAS). The application of these architectures is analysed throughout the maritime domain. In the ship-centric environment, the analysis highlights the role of agents in autonomous navigation, energy-efficient meteorological routing, and predictive maintenance. The analysis in the port and supply-chain domain demonstrates a shift towards decentralized asset orchestration and logistic coordination rather than centralized control. The paper outlines certain barriers to widespread adoption, namely the reality gap of simulation-based training and the lack of transparency in deep-learning models (“black box” problem). The paper concludes by outlining a future research agenda proposing a use of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), high-fidelity simulation-to-real transfer, and communication protocol standardization to continue the trend of developing strong autonomous capabilities in sustainable maritime logistics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Shipping, Ports and Logistics)
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21 pages, 952 KB  
Article
Institutional Pressure and Seafarers’ Rights Protection: The Mediating Role of ESG Strategy in the Chinese Shipping Industry
by Shouchao Zhu, Xingguo Cao, Bin Dong and Junghwan Choi
Sustainability 2026, 18(3), 1694; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031694 - 6 Feb 2026
Viewed by 561
Abstract
Moving beyond passive legal compliance is a critical challenge for the global shipping industry in protecting seafarers’ rights. Drawing on interviews with 32 Chinese shipping executives, this study conceptualizes Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy not merely as a disclosure tool, but as [...] Read more.
Moving beyond passive legal compliance is a critical challenge for the global shipping industry in protecting seafarers’ rights. Drawing on interviews with 32 Chinese shipping executives, this study conceptualizes Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy not merely as a disclosure tool, but as a critical “governance translation” mechanism. We propose a theoretical model where external accountability pressures drive the institutionalization of seafarers’ rights protection (SRP), mediated effectively by corporate ESG engagement. We find that this process is positively moderated by three boundary conditions: the localization of international conventions, the intensity of Port State Control (PSC) enforcement, and the maturity of organizational governance. Practically, the findings suggest that policymakers should prioritize the clear localization of international standards to reduce ambiguity. For managers, the study demonstrates that embedding SRP into board oversight and digital monitoring systems is essential for transforming labor rights from a cost center into a sustainable strategic advantage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Shipping, Ports and Logistics)
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45 pages, 6424 KB  
Article
Climate Resilient Maritime Transport: Probabilistic Modeling of Operational Costs Under Increasing Weather Variability in the Baltic Sea
by Magdalena Bogalecka, Beata Magryta-Mut and Mateusz Torbicki
Sustainability 2026, 18(3), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031592 - 4 Feb 2026
Viewed by 484
Abstract
Maritime transport in semi-enclosed seas is increasingly exposed to short-term weather variability, a challenge expected to intensify under climate change and to affect the economic sustainability of shipping operations. This study proposes an integrated probabilistic framework to assess the impact of weather-induced uncertainty [...] Read more.
Maritime transport in semi-enclosed seas is increasingly exposed to short-term weather variability, a challenge expected to intensify under climate change and to affect the economic sustainability of shipping operations. This study proposes an integrated probabilistic framework to assess the impact of weather-induced uncertainty on operational costs, using a ferry service in the Baltic Sea as a case study. The approach combines a semi-Markov process, representing transitions between discrete weather hazard states derived from ERA5 reanalysis data (2010–2025), with a state-dependent cost model of key technical subsystems across the vessel’s operational cycle. The results show a strongly disproportionate cost structure, with most expenditures concentrated in open-sea navigation states. Although severe weather conditions occur infrequently, they generate a nonlinear amplification of operational costs, significantly reducing cost predictability and system resilience. The findings indicate that enhancing sustainability in maritime transport requires targeted, state-specific adaptation measures, such as weather-aware routing and condition-based maintenance. The proposed framework supports climate-adaptive decision-making and contributes to sustainability-oriented planning in maritime transport through improved operational robustness and cost resilience under weather uncertainty. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Shipping, Ports and Logistics)
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28 pages, 2177 KB  
Article
Ports and Climate Change: Exploring Stakeholder Insights, Governance and Policy Gaps in Greek Ports
by Aikaterini Karditsa, Lykourgos Kourkouvelas, George Vaggelas, Michael Tsatsaronis, Konstantina Manifava and Maria Hatzaki
Sustainability 2025, 17(24), 11111; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172411111 - 11 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1623
Abstract
Ports are crucial nodes in global supply chains, and are critical infrastructures for the execution of global trade and components of the Blue Economy; however, they are highly vulnerable to climate change implications, especially for insular countries like Greece. This study investigates port [...] Read more.
Ports are crucial nodes in global supply chains, and are critical infrastructures for the execution of global trade and components of the Blue Economy; however, they are highly vulnerable to climate change implications, especially for insular countries like Greece. This study investigates port stakeholder perceptions, priorities, and preparedness for climate risks through field research with the use of questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The findings reveal a strong recognition of climate change threats—especially extreme weather conditions—but limited institutional capacity for adaptation. Key needs include targeted funding, regulatory clarity, and specialized environmental units. National coordination remains weak, with climate change often framed in economic rather than systemic terms. Smaller ports face greater exposure yet fewer resources. The results highlight governance gaps, emphasizing the need for integrated, stakeholder-informed strategies to enhance port resilience and ensure alignment with EU climate directives. This research provides evidence-based insights to guide policy development and foster adaptive capacity in the Greek port sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Shipping, Ports and Logistics)
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27 pages, 1677 KB  
Article
The Impact of IMO Market-Based Measures on Korean Shipping Companies: A Focus on the GHG Levy
by Hanna Kim and Sunghwa Park
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6524; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146524 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 2661
Abstract
This study examines the effects of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) market-based measures, with a particular focus on the greenhouse gas (GHG) levy and on the financial and operational performance of Korean shipping companies. The analysis estimates that these companies, which play a [...] Read more.
This study examines the effects of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) market-based measures, with a particular focus on the greenhouse gas (GHG) levy and on the financial and operational performance of Korean shipping companies. The analysis estimates that these companies, which play a vital role in global trade, consume approximately 9211 kilotons of fuel annually and emit 28.5 million tons of carbon dioxide. Under the lowest proposed carbon tax scenario, the financial burden on these companies is estimated at approximately KRW 1.07 trillion, resulting in an 8.8% reduction in net profit, a 2.4% decrease in return on equity (ROE), and a 1.1% decline in return on assets (ROA). Conversely, under the highest carbon tax scenario, costs rise to KRW 4.89 trillion, leading to a significant 40.2% decrease in net profit, thereby posing a serious threat to the financial stability and competitiveness of these firms. These findings underscore the urgent need for strategic policy interventions to mitigate the financial impact of carbon taxation while promoting both environmental sustainability and economic resilience in the maritime sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Shipping, Ports and Logistics)
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