Journal of Maritime Logistics

Ship Recycling: Contribution to Circular Economy and Index of Overall Impact

2025-10-06T14:17:09+08:00

Ship recycling (SR) with significant socio-economic benefits contributes to the circular economy by salvaging and reusing valuable materials. However, SR generates toxic substances which end up in coastal water and landfills, increasing environmental risks. The paper considers relevant indicators in various units under five dimensions, namely: Economic (Direct benefits), Economic (Indirect benefits), Economic (Induced benefits), Environment and Safety issues. These dimensions were combined to get unit free index reflecting the overall impact of ship-breaking in the t-th year from the base year. The index also enables assessment of progress across time, identification of critical indicators requiring corrective managerial action and can be expressed as IEconomic impact * IEnvironmental impact * ISafety impact. Increasing trend of and decreasing trend of are signs of an improved SR process. The indices may be computed separately for national, regional, industry and firm/operation levels. Assessment and monitoring of indicators will help India’s efforts to promote green SR, integrating SR with ship building, and emerging as a global leader in SR and pushing the country’s endeavours to be a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy through sustainable recycling practices.

The Effect of Privatisation on Seaport Productivity: A DEA-MPI Based Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Concession at the Dar es Salaam Maritime Terminal

2025-10-21T16:42:02+08:00

Seaports are vital components of the global supply chain, and their efficiency and productivity are critical factors in facilitating international trade and economic development. In response to increasing competition and the need for enhanced performance, many governments around the world have pursued various port reforms, with terminal concessions being one of the most significant strategies. This study assesses the effect of privatisation on seaport productivity by comparing pre-concession operations under a public entity, i.e., Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), with the post-concession operations under a private entity, i.e., Dubai Ports World (DP World), at Dar es Salaam seaport. The Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist Productivity Index (DEA-MPI) model is deployed to reveal the change in efficiency, technology, and productivity over a 12-month period of operations under each terminal operator. The findings show notable disparities in efficiency, technological, and productivity change over the period of analysis. More specifically, the privatisation of container operations has increased operational efficiency, and improved seaport technology and productivity over the period of analysis. The increase in productivity at Dar es Salaam seaport is exhibited in terms of increased cargo throughput and reduced ship turnaround time. The study concluded that terminal concessions can significantly enhance seaport performance when supported by positive efficiency change and technological change.

Navigating the Dark Side of the Blue Economy: Integrating Blue Crime Governance into Sustainable Ocean Development

2025-11-02T16:59:00+08:00

The Blue Economy promises sustainable ocean-based growth, but is increasingly threatened by rising illicit maritime activities, known as Blue Crimes, including piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling and environmental offences. These crimes erode economic stability, damage ecosystems, and weaken governance, yet their relationship to Blue Economy development remains insufficiently theorised. This paper develops an integrated framework that positions Blue Crime governance as essential to sustainable ocean development. Using a conceptual and integrative review of interdisciplinary scholarship and reports from global institutions, the study shows that Blue Crimes undermine the Blue Economy through interconnected economic, ecological and institutional pathways, especially in regions with fragile governance. The paper introduces the “Whole-of-Ocean Governance” model, emphasising coordinated approaches that link security, environmental management and social inclusion. By embedding crime prevention and justice within the sustainability discourse, the study offers a novel contribution that strengthens efforts toward achieving SDGs 14 and 16.

Evaluating Factors of Adopting Autonomous Machinery in Distribution Centres using Analytical Hierarchy Process

2025-11-10T11:46:59+08:00

The rapid growth of logistics in Malaysia, particularly in Selangor, has increased the demand for more efficient and technologically advanced Distribution Centres (DCs). Autonomous machinery offers significant potential to enhance operational efficiency, reduce labour dependency, and improve accuracy in logistics operations. This study investigates the key factors influencing the adoption of autonomous machinery in distribution centres in Selangor by applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Data were collected through purposive sampling of 10 experts with at least three years of experience in logistics and automation. The AHP analysis structured the decision problem into a three-level hierarchy, followed by pairwise comparisons to determine weightings and priorities. The results reveal that operational factors are the most influential, accounting for 55% of the decision weight, with infrastructure readiness and workplace safety ranked as the top sub-

factors. Internal factors, particularly maintenance costs and return on investment, ranked second, highlighting the importance of financial sustainability. External factors, such as data security and market scale, were found to be less influential but remain relevant for long-term adoption strategies. The study concludes that successful implementation of autonomous machinery requires balancing technological readiness, financial justification and workforce adaptation. Limitations of this study include the small sample size and short time frame, which restrict generalisability. Nonetheless, the findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, managers and industry stakeholders to strengthen Malaysia’s logistics competitiveness in alignment with Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Mapping the Intersections of the Blue Economy and Blue Crime: A Multi-Method Bibliometric, Thematic, and Factorial Analysis

2025-11-23T20:48:04+08:00

The rise of the Blue Economy as a framework for sustainable ocean development is increasingly challenged by Blue Crime, including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, trafficking and environmental offences that threaten ecological resilience and governance stability. This study presents the first multi-method mapping of scholarship at the Blue Economy-Blue Crime nexus, using integrated bibliometric, thematic and factorial analyses of Scopus and Web of Science publications from 2015 to 2024. Research output has surged since 2019, reflecting global attention to SDG 14 and maritime security concerns. Two primary thematic clusters emerge: Governance- and sustainability focused research on ocean policy integration and security-oriented studies on crime typologies, enforcement gaps and regional vulnerabilities, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea and Western Indian Ocean. Factorial and conceptual analyses reveal a persistent divide between security-driven and sustainability-driven scholarship, underscoring field fragmentation. Despite emerging collaborations, knowledge production remains regionally concentrated. This synthesis offers an evidence-based roadmap for advancing interdisciplinary research and informing policy to secure and sustain the Blue Economy.

Leveraging Blue Energy for Sustainable Power Generation at Seaports

2025-11-25T17:30:30+08:00

Seaports are one of the crucial elements for global trade, performing as pivotal points for goods transportation and bridging countries to cross-border market connectivity. However, seaports leave a major ecological footprint due to the dependence on non-renewable energy for port operations, which lead to carbon emissions. By utilising the natural salinity gradient between the saltwater and freshwater, seaports can implement salinity gradient energy systems, like salinity gradient osmosis (SGO), to generate sustainable and renewable electricity. This is in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 7: Affordable & Clean Energy; Goal 13: Climate Action, and Goal 14: Life Below Water. Adopting a blue energy system for port operation can significantly reduce dependence on conventional energy sources, lower CO2 emissions and contribute to the port’s sustainable initiatives. Harnessing the resources of saltwater and freshwater for the generation of electricity via a blue energy system strengthens energy reliability and enhances the seaport’s progression towards a sustainable economic model and reinforces its commitments to environmental conservation.