In recent years, persistent global challenges—such as geopolitical conflicts, pandemics, and natural disasters—have placed unprecedented strain on international shipping and port operations. These crises have escalated trade barriers, forced frequent route adjustments, introduced fluctuating market demands and transport costs, delayed cargo deliveries, and increased security risks. Consequently, ensuring the resilience of ports and maritime supply chains has become a top priority.
The adoption of smart technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI), is transforming how ports prepare for and respond to disruptions. These technologies empower real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making, optimizing operational efficiency and agility. Leveraging these advancements allows ports and shipping companies not only to anticipate and mitigate emergent challenges but also to foster more reliable, sustainable, and robust maritime operations.
This Research Topic aims to address how ports and the broader maritime supply chain can harness smartization to enhance resilience and adaptability in an era of continuous uncertainty. We seek contributions that (1) analyze recent technological breakthroughs and strategic practices for building resilient port and shipping systems; (2) investigate the ongoing development and impact of smart technologies on long-term sector resilience; and (3) examine the roles of policy frameworks and governance in promoting the sustainable and secure integration of these technologies while effectively controlling their attendant risks.
We invite submissions of original research, review articles, and case studies that employ innovative approaches—including but not limited to empirical research, operations research, game theory, and theoretical development—to explore the intersection of smart technologies and resilience in ports and maritime logistics. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Digital transformation challenges and opportunities for ports
• Artificial intelligence solutions for port operations
• Planning and implementation of smart port infrastructure
• Disaster recovery and reconstruction management in port environments
• Cybersecurity, risk prediction, and information protection for smart ports
• Intelligent scheduling, routing, and maritime logistics systems
• Modelling and simulation for port and shipping operations
• Strategies for developing sustainable and resilient port systems
• Integration of smart technologies to boost environmental sustainability
• Policy and governance frameworks for smart port development
• Innovation management in smart port and shipping sectors
We welcome both original research and insightful review articles contributing to the advancement of smart ports and resilient maritime operations.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Opinion
Original Research
Perspective
Policy and Practice Reviews
Policy Brief
Review
Systematic Review
Technology and Code
Keywords: Smart port; Resilient supply chain; Port security; Risk management; Sustainable maritime development; Scheduling and routing; Innovation management; Policy and governance; Smartization; Resilience
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
