Towards the adoption of AI, IoT, and Blockchain technologies in Bangladesh's maritime industry: Challenges and insights

• Identified 12 significant barriers Bangladesh's maritime industries face while implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain technology. • Developed a Cause-and-effect model and ranked the barriers using the fuzzy DEMATEL technique. • The top-ranked causal barriers, data security and privacy concerns, interoperability issues, and education and awareness require the highest attention. Developing nations face numerous barriers in adopting modern technology, including insufficient infrastructure, concerns about data security, challenges with interoperability and a lack of awareness and education. The maritime sector encounters substantial barriers, particularly when integrating nascent technologies such as AI, IoT, and Blockchain. In order to boost competitiveness on a worldwide scale, such innovations are crucial. This study aims to conduct a thorough analysis and evaluation of the constraints that impede technological advancement in the maritime industry of Bangladesh, with the objective of enhancing and comprehending the situation. The study incorporates the fuzzy DEMATEL technique to identify and allocate precedence to the challenges associated with technology implementation. The primary barriers that have been identified are deficiencies in education and awareness, challenges in interoperability, and concerns about data security and privacy. The primary barriers, as determined through validation by industry experts, are data security and privacy, interoperability, and education and awareness. Conversely, technology obsolescence has minimal impact. This study provides substantial details for policymakers, academics, and professionals to better understand the challenges and devise solutions to overcome them. This study emphasizes the importance of targeted efforts to overcome these barriers, facilitating the smooth integration of new technology and improving the global competitiveness of the maritime industry. Future research should investigate alternative evaluation criteria and additional barriers specific to companies in order to enhance and refine strategies for technology adoption.