Systematic Review of Smart Ports: Trends and Future Research Directions

The concept of smart ports has gained increasing attention in recent decades. The academic literature on smart ports has expanded considerably, yet remains fragmented. This study conducts a systematic literature review to address three key research questions. Additionally, VOSviewer software is employed for bibliometric mapping and visualization of keyword co-occurrence and thematic clusters. The findings identify fours dominant themes, such as smart port concept and technological foundations, port development and intelligent systems, performance-focused through digitalization and strategic governance and sustainability. In conclusion, the literature reveals that smart ports are not defined solely by their technological capabilities but by their ability to integrate innovation across infrastructure, operations, strategy, and environmental goals. Despite the lack of a concrete definition, there is a growing understanding on the key components and objectives of smart port development. Finally, the review outlines emerging gaps and proposes a forward-looking research agenda focused on areas such as how to address the challenges in smart port concept.