Search Results (168)

The port logistics service innovation (PLSI) is closely associated with cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) enterprise performance, given that the port, as the spatial carrier and the joint point of goods, information, customs house affairs, etc., is essentially a key node of the CBEC logistics chain. However, the influence mechanism of PLSI on CBEC enterprise performance has still not yet been elaborated by consensus. To fill this gap, this study aims to figure out the effect mechanism integrating the probe into two variables (i.e., information interaction and environmental upgrade) in a moderated mediation model. Specifically, this study collects questionnaire survey data of logistics enterprises and CBEC enterprises in the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port of China by the Bootstrap method in the software SPSS 26.0. The results show the following: (1) PLSI can positively affect the CBEC enterprise performance; (2) information interaction plays an intermediary role between PLSI and CBEC enterprise performance; and (3) environmental upgrade can not only positively regulate the relationship between information interaction and CBEC enterprise performance, but also enhance the mediating role of information interaction with a moderated intermediary effect. Full article

Although the importance of digital transformation in contemporary port development has been widely acknowledged, there is little empirical research on the extent to which it promotes sustainable development by reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This study takes the digital transformation of one of the largest ports in northern China—Tangshan Port—as an example, as the application of digital technologies has greatly improved its operational efficiency. By using cargo throughput and container throughput data from Tangshan Port as the experimental group and from Qinhuangdao Port as the control group, difference-in-differences regression models with monthly data and port fixed effects were adopted to clarify the impact of digital transformation on sustainability for different types of cargo throughput, as well as the differential effects of policy impact on port production efficiency and economic performance in the short and long term, in order to examine the impact of digitalization on port operation performance. Our findings demonstrate that digital transformation has a significant positive impact on both port cargo and container throughput, with the long-term effect surpassing the short-term effect. Additionally, regional economic level positively moderates policy impact. These findings provide critical evidence that ports can balance economic growth and environmental sustainability within sustainable development frameworks. Full article

Ports in the Baltic Sea region play an integral role in advancing sustainable maritime practices in the area, due to their geographic interconnectedness, economic importance, and sensitivity to environmental challenges. While numerous port sustainability assessment methods exist, most of which are grounded in the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) metric, many tend to emphasise whether specific targets have been met, rather than evaluating port sustainability on a scalar basis. This study explores the sustainability strategies of seven selected ports in five Baltic Sea countries using an innovative qualitative evaluation framework developed by the Swedish Maritime Competence Centre (SMCC). The SMCC model integrates the three core pillars of sustainability-environmental, social, and economic dimensions, while incorporating energy efficiency and digitalisation as critical enablers of modern port operations. The findings reveal significant variation in sustainability performance among the selected ports, shaped by regional contexts, operational profiles, and prior engagement with sustainability initiatives. Also, the results bring into light the most common sustainable practices used in the ports, e.g., LED lightning, onshore power supply, and port information systems. Full article

As global trade expands, the pressure on container terminals to improve efficiency and capacity grows. Several inspections are performed during the loading and unloading process to minimize delays. In this paper, we explore corrosion as it poses a persistent threat that compromises the durability of containers and leads to costly repairs. However, identifying this threat is no simple task. Corrosion can take many forms, progress unpredictably, and be influenced by various environmental conditions and container types. In collaboration with the Port of Sines, Portugal, this work explores a potential solution for a real-time computer-vision system, with the aim to improve container inspections using deep-learning algorithms. We propose a system based on the semantic segmentation model, DeepLabv3+, for precise corrosion detection using images provided from the terminal. After preparing the data and annotations, we explored two approaches. First, we leveraged a pre-trained model originally designed for bridge corrosion detection. Second, we fine-tuned a version specifically for cargo container assessment. With a corrosion detection performance of 49%, this work showcases the potential of deep learning to automate inspection processes. It also highlights the importance of generalization and training in real-world scenarios and explores innovative solutions for smart gates and terminals. Full article

With the continuous expansion of global trade, achieving sustainable maritime transport optimization and operations has become a key strategic direction for transforming maritime transport companies. To summarize the current state of research and identify emerging trends in sustainable maritime transport optimization and operations, this study systematically examines representative studies from the past decade, focusing on three dimensions, technology, management, and policy, using data sourced from the Web of Science (WOS) database. Building on this analysis, potential avenues for future research are suggested. Research indicates that the technological field centers on the integrated application of alternative fuels, improvements in energy efficiency, and low-carbon technologies in the shipping and port sectors. At the management level, green investment decisions, speed optimization, and berth scheduling are emphasized as core strategies for enhancing corporate sustainable performance. From a policy perspective, attention is placed on the synergistic effects between market-based measures (MBMs) and governmental incentive policies. Existing studies primarily rely on multi-objective optimization models to achieve a balance between emission reductions and economic benefits. Technological innovation is considered a key pathway to decarbonization, while support from governments and organizations is recognized as crucial for ensuring sustainable development. Future research trends involve leveraging blockchain, big data, and artificial intelligence to optimize and streamline sustainable maritime transport operations, as well as establishing a collaborative governance framework guided by environmental objectives. This study contributes to refining the existing theoretical framework and offers several promising research directions for both academia and industry practitioners. Full article

Container terminals are facing significant challenges in meeting the increasing demands for volume and throughput, with limited space often presenting as a critical constraint. Key areas of concern at the quayside include the berth allocation problem, the quay crane assignment, and the scheduling problem. Effectively managing these issues is essential for optimizing port operations; failure to do so can lead to substantial operational and economic ramifications, ultimately affecting competitiveness within the global shipping industry. Optimization models, encompassing both mathematical frameworks and metaheuristic approaches, offer promising solutions. Additionally, the application of machine learning and reinforcement learning enables real-time solutions, while robust optimization and stochastic models present effective strategies, particularly in scenarios involving uncertainties. This study expands upon earlier foundational analyses of berth allocation, quay crane assignment, and scheduling issues, which have laid the groundwork for port optimization. Recent developments in uncertainty management, automation, real-time decision-making approaches, and environmentally sustainable objectives have prompted this review of the literature from 2015 to 2024, exploring emerging challenges and opportunities in container terminal operations. Recent research has increasingly shifted toward integrated approaches and the utilization of continuous berthing for better wharf utilization. Additionally, emerging trends, such as sustainability and green infrastructure in port operations, and policy trade-offs are gaining traction. In this review, we critically analyze and discuss various aspects, including spatial and temporal attributes, crane handling, sustainability, model formulation, policy trade-offs, solution approaches, and model performance evaluation, drawing on a review of 94 papers published between 2015 and 2024. Full article

In the context of increasingly complex and dynamic maritime logistics, seaports serve as critical nodes for intermodal transport, energy distribution, and global trade. Ensuring the safe and uninterrupted operation of port infrastructure—particularly berths—is vital for maintaining supply chain resilience. This study explores the impact of multiple risk categories on berth efficiency in a seaport, aligning with the growing emphasis on maritime safety and risk-informed decision-making. A two-stage methodology is adopted. In the first phase, the DEA CCR input-oriented model is employed to assess the efficiency of selected berths considered as Decision Making Units (DMUs). In the second phase, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to categorize and quantify the impact of four major risk classes—operational, technical, safety, and environmental—on berth efficiency. The results demonstrate that operational and safety risks contribute 63.91% of the composite weight in the AHP risk assessment hierarchy. These findings are highly relevant to contemporary efforts in maritime risk modeling, especially for individual ports and port systems with high berth utilization and vulnerability to system disruptions. The proposed integrated approach offers a scalable and replicable decision-support tool for port authorities, port operators, planners, and maritime safety stakeholders, enabling proactive risk mitigation, optimal utilization of available resources in a port, and improved berth performance. Its methodological design is appropriately suited to support further applications in port resilience frameworks and maritime safety strategies, being one of the bases for establishing collision avoidance strategies related to an individual port and/or port system, too. Full article

This paper presents an enhanced hub location model tailored to port–hinterland logistics planning, grounded in the Capacitated Multiple-Allocation Hub Location Problem (CMAHLP). The formulation incorporates nonlinear cost structures, hub-specific operating costs, adaptive capacity constraints, and a feasibility condition based on the Social Net Present Value (NPVsocial) to support the design of intermodal freight networks under asymmetric spatial and socio-environmental conditions. The empirical case focuses on Spain, leveraging its strategic position between Asia, North Africa, and Europe. The model includes four major ports—Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, and Algeciras—as intermodal gateways connected to the 47 provinces of peninsular Spain through calibrated cost matrices based on real distances and mode-specific road and rail costs. A Genetic Algorithm is applied to evaluate 120 scenarios, varying the number of active hubs (4, 6, 8, 10, 12), transshipment discounts (α = 0.2 and 1.0), and internal parameters. The most efficient configuration involved 300 generations, 150 individuals, a crossover rate of 0.85, and a mutation rate of 0.40. The algorithm integrates guided mutation, elitist reinsertion, and local search on the top 15% of individuals. Results confirm the central role of Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, frequently accompanied by high-performance inland hubs such as Málaga, Córdoba, Jaén, Palencia, León, and Zaragoza. Cities with active ports such as Cartagena, Seville, and Alicante appear in several of the most efficient network configurations. Their recurring presence underscores the strategic role of inland hubs located near seaports in supporting logistical cohesion and operational resilience across the system. The COVID-19 crisis, the Suez Canal incident, and the persistent tensions in the Red Sea have made clear the fragility of traditional freight corridors linking Asia and Europe. These shocks have brought renewed strategic attention to southern Spain—particularly the Mediterranean and Andalusian axes—as viable alternatives that offer both geographic and intermodal advantages. In this evolving context, the contribution of southern hubs gains further support through strong system-wide performance indicators such as entropy, cluster diversity, and Pareto efficiency, which allow for the assessment of spatial balance, structural robustness, and optimal trade-offs in intermodal freight planning. Southern hubs, particularly in coordination with North African partners, are poised to gain prominence in an emerging Euro–Maghreb logistics interface that demands a territorial balance and resilient port–hinterland integration. Full article

Background: The transportation of petroleum products via multimodal logistics systems is a complex process subject to operational inefficiencies and elevated risk exposure. The efficient and resilient transportation of petroleum products increasingly depends on multimodal logistics systems, where operational risks and process inefficiencies can significantly impact safety and performance. This study addresses the research question of how an integrated risk-based and workflow-driven approach can enhance the management of oil products logistics in complex port environments. Methods: A dual methodological framework was applied at the Port of Midia, Romania, combining a probabilistic risk assessment model, quantifying incident probability, infrastructure vulnerability, and exposure, with dynamic business process modeling (BPM) using specialized software. The workflow simulation replicated real-world multimodal oil operations across maritime, rail, road, and inland waterway segments. Results: The analysis identified human error, technical malfunctions, and environmental hazards as key risk factors, with an aggregated major incident probability of 2.39%. BPM simulation highlighted critical bottlenecks in customs processing, inland waterway lock transit, and road tanker dispatch. Process optimizations based on simulation insights achieved a 25% reduction in operational delays. Conclusions: Integrating risk assessment with dynamic workflow modeling provides an effective methodology for improving the resilience, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of multimodal oil logistics operations. This approach offers practical guidance for port operators and contributes to advancing risk-informed logistics management in the petroleum supply chain. Full article

Urban expansion threatens sustainable development in densely populated countries like Bangladesh. This study aims to quantitatively identify and evaluate the key drivers influencing the spatial distribution of urban surfaces (SDUS) in Chattogram City, providing insights into urban growth patterns over 30 years. Using Landsat 5 and 9 imageries, the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) was computed for 1993 and 2023 to map urban surface changes. A total of 16 geospatial variables representing potential drivers were analyzed. Four statistical and machine learning methods, including GeoDetector, Distributed Random Forest (DRF), global Geographically Weighted Random Forest (GWRF), and local GWRF, were employed to quantify individual and interactive influences on SDUS. The Geodetector analysis identified the central business district (CBD) as the most influential driver of urban surface distribution, with a q statistic of 0.22, followed by river proximity (q = 0.14) and administrative boundaries (q = 0.13). Across all models, CBD consistently ranked as a dominant factor. In the Distributed Random Forest (DRF) model, CBD showed the highest importance score (0.57), followed by coastlines (0.35) and rivers (0.35). The DRF model achieved the highest performance (R² = 0.612), outperforming the global GWRF (R² = 0.59) and local GWRF (R² = 0.529). Although variables like the proximity of administrative location and forests have low individual impacts, they show a stronger coupled influence. This industrial port-based economy expanded, facing challenges of uncontrolled urbanization, poor governance, and environmental issues. Promoting mixed land use planning, decentralizing urban governance, and improving coordination among implementing agencies may better resolve these issues. This work may help planners and policymakers in planning future cities and developing policies to promote sustainable urban growth. Full article

This paper focuses on operational practices that can reduce emissions in port services, especially within nautical operations. By using theoretical and empirical approaches, the research adopts a mixed-method design that integrates desk research, stakeholder surveys, and case study analysis. This study identifies and classifies twelve optimal operational practices through an innovative multidimensional framework, which considers environmental, economic, social, technical, and institutional dimensions. The findings highlight the relevant importance of promoting behavioural changes among port service operators to ensure the effective adoption of sustainable practices. To this end, the study highlights the need to develop specific and targeted training programs. They aim to raise public awareness of environmental issues and improve personnel operational efficiency. Such programs are identified as crucial elements to facilitate the transition towards more sustainable and efficient operating models. This fosters a long-term positive impact on both environmental performance and the entire maritime logistics chain. This research concludes by recommending how ports can incorporate these practices into training programs that promote sustainable behaviour and improve operational decision-making. Full article

Maritime trade in Bangladesh is growing significantly, as observed by UNCTAD, which reported 3.20 mTEUs throughput in 2022. Additionally, the principal seaport, Chattogram Port, reported a port throughput of 3.27 mTEUs in 2024, the historical record for any port in Bangladesh. More than 50% of imports and exports, including empty containers, were handled in 2024 through 19 nos close dry ports in Chattogram City by applying small-scale intermodal systems, where the performance of pure intermodal from/to mid-range dry ports (3 Nos) to Chattogram Port is 2.53%. By 2030, the government wants all import and export operations to be conducted through dry ports. Furthermore, the current volume of international goods freight cannot be handled by the dry ports that are currently in place. This research applied mixed methods to explore the opportunities to set more dry ports and the application of intermodal systems for increasing the seaport’s efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method was used to know the dry port location, investment, and policy in creating the opportunity to set up more dry ports in Bangladesh. In the findings, 82.50% of participants agreed that existing facilities are not enough and need to establish more dry ports to handle current and future volumes of containers. Moreover, the responses reveal a division of opinion on establishing a dry port outside of Chattogram, with a notable inclination towards opposition. According to 62% of respondents, dry ports outside Chattogram are necessary. To enhance intermodal connectivity and facilitate easier cargo transfers between ports and hinterland regions, integrated infrastructure development would be in line with national economic objectives. The research aims to investigate the possibilities for establishing additional dry ports across the country to boost seaport productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness by utilizing intermodal freight transportation systems to cut costs and time while also considering environmental factors like CO₂ emissions. Full article

As global sustainability goals gain momentum, seaports are playing a pivotal role in driving environmentally and socially responsible practices. In light of the International Maritime Organization’s emission reduction targets, transparent and effective Environmental and Social (E&S) reporting has become increasingly vital. This study critically examines current E&S reporting practices in the port industry through an analysis of recent disclosures from major European and global ports, supported by a review of academic and industry literature. The research explores how sustainability reports address key themes such as CO₂ emissions, energy efficiency, health and safety, operational performance, and biodiversity. While the presence of numerous indicators reflects a commitment to comprehensive sustainability, the proliferation of metrics poses challenges for clarity, comparability, and stakeholder engagement. The abundance of data risks diluting focus, complicating benchmarking, and may even contribute to greenwashing. Without standardization and strategic alignment, reporting can become counterproductive. This study advocates for a harmonized set of performance indicators that remain flexible enough to reflect port-specific strategies, yet are consistent with global benchmarks. Achieving this balance will require collaboration among researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to develop transparent, adaptive E&S reporting frameworks that support meaningful progress in ports’ sustainability. Full article

Ports play a crucial role in Indonesia’s economy, yet many, particularly smaller ports, lack standardized port performance indicators (PPIs) to assess and improve operational efficiency. Existing studies primarily focus on financial and operational performance, often employing either the balanced scorecard (BSC) or PESTLE analysis in isolation, with limited integration of sustainability concepts, such as smart port and green port frameworks. This study bridges this gap, aiming to develop and validate a comprehensive PPI framework that combines BSC, PESTLE, and circular economy smart and green port principles to create holistic performance assessment tools for ports. The research used a three-round Delphi method, incorporating expert evaluations and consensus from academics, consultants, port authorities, and customers to validate key performance indicators. A total of 127 PPIs were initially identified through a literature review and expert consultations, using strict selection criteria—standard deviation ≤ 1.5, interquartile range (Q3–Q1) ≤ 2.5, and ≥51% expert agreement (ratings 8–10). The final validated framework includes 114 indicators covering financial, operational, environmental, and strategic dimensions. This study provides valuable insights for port authorities to optimize performance and align with global best practices by integrating internal and external factors into a comprehensive model. Full article

The ambition of ports to become green and smart ports is one of the important ways to reduce environmental impacts and optimize energy consumption in passenger service and cargo handling operations in ports. One of the ways to transform a green port is to use renewable energy sources, more environmentally friendly fuels and reduce emissions in passenger service and cargo handling operations. The article analyses the main factors of green port transformation and factors assessment, including port strategy, port management, passenger service and cargo handling operations (port activity level), additional port services, and the activities of companies providing services to the port. Optimization of the indicated factors is important from the point of view of environmental sustainability. The article presents a methodology for direct and relative assessment of the current state of the green transformation and emissions generated in the port and options for reducing the environmental impact. This approach enables each port to evaluate its stage in the green transformation process and identify the primary emissions it produces. By understanding the actual state of green transformation, ports can identify the factors and measures necessary to improve their environmental performance and reduce their ecological footprint. The article presents a methodology for assessing green transformation and calculating both absolute and relative emissions, which can be adapted and applied to any port. Full article