Sustainable Food and Agriculture Research Highlights Need for Maritime Port Reform

Research conducted by the University of Aveiro and published in the journal Economia Agro-Alimentare highlights the urgent need for sustainable operations across management, economic, and social dimensions in maritime ports, which are responsible for 80% of global trade. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating sustainable digital supply chains, circular economy, and technological innovations to improve efficiency and environmental goals. The research also identifies gaps in current understanding, such as the effects of technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and the Internet of Things on port sustainability, and evaluates social sustainability in the supply chain through indicators like child labor and rural poverty traps.

Key Takeaways:

• The global food supply chain faces significant pressures, highlighting the need for sustainable operations in maritime ports, which account for 80% of global trade.
• The research identifies four main subjects: smart port requirements and sustainable performance, technological innovations driving sustainable supply chain management, circular economy and digital supply chain sustainability, and frameworks and models for integrating sustainable digital supply chain.
• The study applies the PRISMA method to systematically review literature and identifies gaps in current understanding, including the effects of AI, Blockchain, and IoT on port sustainability and social sustainability in the supply chain.
• The research grounds for key performance indicators (KPIs) and opens perspectives for practical innovation in maritime ports.
• The study highlights the importance of integrating sustainable digital supply chains, circular economy, and technological innovations to improve efficiency and environmental goals.

Statistics:

• 80% of global trade is conducted through maritime ports.
• The study analyzed literature up to July 11, 2024.
• Four main subjects were the focus of the researchers: smart port requirements and sustainable performance, technological innovations driving sustainable supply chain management, circular economy and digital supply chain sustainability, and frameworks and models for integrating sustainable digital supply chain.
• 20% of global trade does not support sustainable operations.

Sources:

• Sustainable Food Supply Chains in Maritime Ports: A Review Across Management, Economic, and Social Dimensions. Economia Agro-Alimentare, 2025,27(2). FrancoAngeli.
• DOI: https://doi.org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3280/ecag2025oa19420.