Mapping the Research Landscape of Renewable Energy Solutions for Sustainable Maritime Transport: A Bibliometric Analysis (2016–2025)

Mahmoud Ahmed Abdo Hamza, Nirmeen Elsayed, Tasnim Ahmed Youssef, Ziad Ahmed, Dima Salah

Abstract


The relationships among documents on Maritime Renewable Energy Solutions (MRES) for sustainable shipping are explored to 1) map the evolution and current status of this literature stream; 2) highlight the top contributing documents, authors, journals, affiliations, and countries; 3) identify collaboration patterns and the social and intellectual structure of the scientific community; and 4) uncover thematic clusters and future research directions in support of maritime decarbonization. A total of 513 publications from 2016 to October 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and analysed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer through co-authorship, co-citation, co-word, and direct citation analyses. The results revealed a rapidly growing and highly multidisciplinary field, with an annual growth rate of 43.62% and strong international collaboration, especially among European and Asian institutions. China, together with leading universities such as Shanghai Maritime University, has emerged as a key contributor, while journals such as Sustainability, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Energies, and Journal of Cleaner Production play central roles in shaping the knowledge base. Thematic and correspondence analyses showed well-established motor themes related to energy efficiency, regulatory frameworks, and environmental performance, alongside emerging themes focused on hydrogen, green ammonia, and other alternative fuels. Overall, the findings indicate the need for more integrated, cross-disciplinary, and policy-oriented research that links technological innovation, regulatory development, and implementation challenges to accelerate progress toward zero-emission maritime transport. 

Keywords


Maritime Renewable Energy Solutions, Sustainable shipping, Maritime decarbonization, Zero- emission maritime transport, Bibliometrics Analysis

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References


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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/MARLOG.2026.15.1.49

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mahmoud Ahmed Abo Hamza, Nirmeen Elsayed, Tasnim Ahmed Youssef, Ziad Ahmed, Dima Salah

The International Maritime Transport and Logistics Journal (MARLOG)

E-ISSN: 2974-3141
P-ISSN: 2974-3133

Published by:

Academy Publishing Center (APC)

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Alexandria, Egypt