International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics (6 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Artificial intelligence in ports: a bibliometric and evolutionary perspective  
  by Gulden Oner, Yelda Inanc, Gultekin Altuntas 
  Abstract: Container terminal operations are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to improve efficiency, sustainability, and automation amid ongoing digital transformation. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 391 publications (1992-2024) from the Web of Science Core Collection using Biblioshiny 4.0. The findings reveal a paradigm shift toward AI-driven optimisation across key areas, including berth allocation, crane scheduling, truck fleet management, and intelligent port automation. Despite this progress, a critical gap remains: the lack of empirical validation using real operational data. This gap highlights the urgent need for cross-industry collaboration to bridge theory and practice. The study urges policymakers and port authorities to implement standardised AI frameworks, invest in workforce upskilling, and enhance digital infrastructure. Future research should focus on scalable, data-validated AI applications and on promoting longitudinal case studies and industry partnerships to ensure the effective, sustainable integration of AI technologies into port logistics.
  Keywords: artificial intelligence; container terminals; smart port applications; AI optimisation; digitalisation; maritime logistics.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.10076003
   
  
• Predicting carbon emission and peaking time of waterborne freight transportation in China  
  by Tingsong Wang, Mengyao Wang, Peiyue Cheng 
  Abstract: This study focuses on predicting carbon emissions from Chinas waterborne freight transport and identifying peak times. A bottom-up model based on freight turnover is developed. After comparing three models, the long short-term memory (LSTM) network is used to forecast emissions from 2021 to 2040, and the Mann-Kendall test is applied to detect peaks. Results show inland, coastal, and oceanic transport will peak in 2030, 2032, and 2029, with overall waterborne emissions peaking around 2030 and declining significantly (P<0.05). Validation confirms LSTM outperforms seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). Furthermore, the study suggests that the promotion of clean energy sources, such as LNG and hydrogen, along with optimisation of energy infrastructure, could expedite the low-carbon transformation of waterborne transport. This paper offers methodological support for precise carbon emission measurement and peak time determination, providing practical reference value for Chinas achievement of its dual carbon goals.
  Keywords: waterborne freight transport; carbon emissions prediction; long short-term memory; LSTM model; Mann-Kendall trend test; peak carbon emissions time; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.10076853
   
  
• The impact of port throughput and throughput growth on sulphur-oxide concentrations in Chinas coastal ports: boosters or brakes  
  by Jihong Chen, Yejun Liu, Lang Xu, Chengkun Liu, Yusheng Zhou 
  Abstract: This study investigates how port throughput scale and throughput growth relate to sulphur-oxides (SOX) concentrations at 18 major coastal ports in China. Using a port-year panel dataset over 2005-2019 and combining satellite-based SOX observations with a consistent set of port operational indicators, we apply quantile regression to examine nonlinearities and distributional heterogeneity. The results suggest an EKC-type pattern in which expanding throughput can increase SOX in earlier stages, whereas further expansion can coincide with reduced SOX as ports modernise and compliance capacity strengthens. We also document pronounced regional and scale heterogeneity: northern and eastern ports exhibit an inverted-U relationship between throughput and SOX, while southern ports show a U-shaped pattern. Overall, high-throughput ports tend to exert stronger impacts on SOX outcomes, underscoring the role of operational intensity. These findings imply that mitigation policies should be tailored to port-specific characteristics, including development stage, scale and regional context.
  Keywords: coastal port; environmental Kuznets curve; EKC; sulphur-oxide concentration; quantile regression; throughput growth; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.10077108
   
  
• Exchange rate dynamics and oil transportation costs: connectedness and shock transmission  
  by Şenol Babuşcu, Bade Ekim Kocaman, Savaş Tarkun, Adalet Hazar 
  Abstract: This study explores the relationship between exchange rates and oil transportation costs, emphasising the interconnectedness between financial markets and the maritime industry. Using a connectedness approach based on the time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) model, the study first examines how exchange rate fluctuations affect oil freight indices such as Baltic Dirty Tanker Index (BDTI) and the Baltic Clean Tanker Index (BCTI). It then investigates how tanker markets, in turn, transmit shocks to financial markets. The findings indicate that oil shipping costs are significantly influenced by currency volatility, while the tanker market also acts as a shock transmitter, particularly during economic crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts. These results provide critical insights for policymakers and investors in managing exchange rate risks and stabilising global trade and energy markets.
  Keywords: exchange rates; oil transportation; connectedness analysis; financial shocks; TVP-VAR model.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.10077139
   
  
• Impact of digital economy on sustainable development in Chinese port cities  
  by Fan Liu, Sihan Deng, Xutian Qin 
  Abstract: This article combines panel data of 18 major Chinese port cities from 2011 to 2021. Partial least squares and coupled coordination degree models are used to explore the mechanism and relationship of digital economy on sustainable port development. Results show: 1) In terms of spatial-temporal evolution, the digital economy generally shown a stable growth trend, with significant differences between cities. In terms of dimensional evolution, developmental stages are digital infrastructure, industrial digitisation, and synergistic development of industrial digitisation and digital industrialisation; 2) the sustainable development of ports shows a fluctuating trend, with differences in levels and a Matthew effect. Sustainable development levels are concentrated in the low, medium-low, and medium levels; 3) the impact of urban digital economy on port sustainable development involves three stages: port-driven, city-driven, and dual-driven, with high coupling between the two but relatively low coupling coordination degree.
  Keywords: digital economy; port cities; sustainable development; coupling relationship.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.10077299
   
  
• A heuristic algorithm based on quantum behaviour for berth allocation and quay crane scheduling optimisation problems in container terminals  
  by Zhen Li, Shurong Li 
  Abstract: Various real-world engineering examples need to be settled by appropriate methods. However, many of them are proved as NP-hard problems with huge computational complexity, which causes premature convergence and slow computing efficiency. In this study, we are concerned with the combinatorial optimisation problems for optimal scheduling tasks in container terminals by utilising and improving the quantum-behaviour heuristic algorithm. First, an integrated two-stage model for the berth allocation, quay crane assignment, and quay crane scheduling problem (BACASP) in container terminals is presented to minimise the running costs in the given time horizon. To deal with the computation demand, a quantum-behaviour heuristic algorithm (QGA-E) with stronger global searching ability and higher computation efficiency is developed. The above works are certified to be feasible according to a series of experimental studies with datasets from the real container terminal.
  Keywords: quantum-behaviour heuristic algorithm; berth allocation; quay crane assignment; quay crane scheduling.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.10077312