Unveiling the Contemporary Research Direction and Current Business Management Strategies for Port Decarbonization Through a Systematic Review

Port decarbonization is becoming an increasingly critical focus in the maritime industry. It facilitates prioritizing compliance with the latest regulatory updates introduced by the International Maritime Organization, the European Union, and national governments. It is also seen as a key element to tackling climate change challenges. Hence, it is essential to comprehend recent developments in port decarbonization research to address sustainability requirements of the industry. This article reveals the recent research directions and current industrial practices in response to port decarbonization requirements by employing a holistic view of the literature. The methodology of this research uses a detailed qualitative approach framework to conduct an in-depth analysis of contemporary research publications. In this study, 75 recent publications in the literature are examined in-depth using systematic review, thematic analysis, and content analysis. The findings of this study suggest a significant emphasis on innovative technologies and collaborative strategies for achieving decarbonization goals. Another important contribution of this study is the identification of key barriers and facilitators in the implementation of decarbonization practices at ports. This study also encompasses future research directions by identifying existing themes, contents, and research gaps in the literature. It is anticipated that the outcomes of this article will shed light on the main research motivations and policymaking requirements in the field of port decarbonization.