CHARTING THE RESEARCH LANDSCAPE OF SUSTAINABLE MARITIME LOGISTICS: A BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW

Abstract

The current global context, defined by accelerated digitalisation, pressure for sustainability, and the need for resilience in supply chains, has fundamentally transformed the field of maritime transport. Consequently, this study aims to map the academic landscape of sustainable maritime transport through a bibliometric analysis and to compare these findings with a concurrent analysis of industry practices. We analyzed a sample of 763 documents and a set of recent industry and policy reports from major European ports and international bodies. A strategic fusion of disciplines was identified, with a dominant presence of categories focused on the environment and sustainability. This interdisciplinarity is fueled by an intensification of global collaboration, with the People's Republic of China consolidating its central position. The analysis also revealed a growing interest in cutting-edge topics like digitalisation, systemic resilience, and decarbonisation. By comparing research and practice, we found strong convergence on these themes, while also identifying gaps where academia is more advanced (e.g., AI/ML, blockchain) or where industry priorities remain underexplored. By mapping these trends and their alignment, the study provides a solid knowledge base for researchers and practitioners, helping to identify research gaps and to inform future directions of study.