Technological Innovation in Ship Collision Avoidance: A Bibliometric Analysis of Recent Developments and Trends

This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research on ship collisions, mapping publication trends, key contributors, and primary themes within the field. This study distinguishes itself by offering the first in-depth bibliometric examination of ship collision avoidance research trends using comprehensive Scopus data, filling a gap in understanding how this field has evolved across disciplines and identifying emerging areas for future study. Total 381 relevant articles were analyzed to understand the evolution and current landscape of ship collision research. The results highlight a notable growth in publications since the early 2000s, driven by increasing concerns over maritime safety and the economic and environmental impacts of collisions. Key authors and countries, especially China, emerge as major contributors to the field, advancing topics such as autonomous technology integration, numerical simulations for safety, and structural resilience in collision scenarios. Three primary research themes were identified: the integration of COLREGs and autonomous technology for collision avoidance, maritime safety enhancement through numerical simulation, and structural crashworthiness and risk assessment. This research lays the groundwork for further exploration of ship collision prevention and maritime safety advancements. Finally, the suggestions on future research are also made.