Sustainability Risks in Oceans Due to Global Supply Chain Activities

Strategic Insights -

Investigations have highlighted significant sustainability risks faced by oceans due to global supply chain activities. Researchers from Business School at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Pachuca, Mexico, conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles published between 2016 and 2024 to examine the impact of supply chain activities on ocean health and identify mitigation practices. The study found that chemical spills, marine plastic debris, industrial and agricultural effluents, unsustainable fishing practices, and resource extraction activities significantly harm marine ecosystems. Essential practices to mitigate these impacts include improving waste management protocols, promoting sustainable fishing, reducing industrial and agricultural effluents, and enhancing response mechanisms for resource extraction.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research found that 42 relevant studies out of 120 papers analyzed were included in the study, revealing significant harm to marine ecosystems from supply chain activities.
  • Chemical spills, marine plastic debris, industrial and agricultural effluents, unsustainable fishing practices, and resource extraction activities were identified as major contributors to ocean health issues.
  • Improved waste management protocols, sustainable fishing practices, reduced industrial and agricultural effluents, and enhanced response mechanisms for resource extraction were highlighted as essential practices to mitigate the impacts.
  • The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
  • The research supports SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and emphasizes the importance of comprehensive regulations, international cooperation, and sustainable business practices.

Statistics:

  • 120 papers were screened, and 42 relevant studies were analyzed in the systematic review.
  • The study period spanned from 2016 to 2024.
  • 15 articles were published in the journal Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain in 2025.
  • The study highlighted 5 major contributors to ocean health issues: chemical spills, marine plastic debris, industrial and agricultural effluents, unsustainable fishing practices, and resource extraction activities.

Sources:

  • Impacts of global supply chains on ocean health and mitigation practices: a systematic literature review. Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, 2025,15():100228. The publisher for Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain is Elsevier.
  • NewsRx. New Sustainability Research Research Reported from Business School (Impacts of global supply chains on ocean health and mitigation practices: a systematic literature review). Health & Medicine Week. June 27, 2025; p 2715.
  • Business School, Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Blvd. Felipe Angeles No. 2003, Pachuca, Hidalgo. P.C. 42083, Mexico.