Unravelling the spatial agglomeration patterns and drivers of the maritime service industry in the Yangtze River Delta

The maritime service industry serves as a critical catalyst for regional competitiveness and global supply chain integration. Despite its strategic importance, the micro-scale spatial agglomeration mechanisms of maritime service enterprises (MSEs) remain underexplored, particularly in rapidly evolving economic landscapes. Addressing this gap, this study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics and determinants of MSE agglomeration in China's Yangtze River Delta (YRD), leveraging a dataset of 5968 MSEs classified into basic, auxiliary, and derivative services from 2000 to 2023. Results reveal a hierarchical pattern: Shanghai anchors high-value derivative services, while auxiliary and fundamental services decentralize to peripheries, shaped by economic, transportation, technological and financial factors. Spatial spillovers highlight interregional interdependence, requiring coordinated policies to balance specialization and synergy. The study advances maritime cluster analysis by developing a hierarchical analytical framework, unveils MSE agglomeration determinants and quantifies interregional spillovers. The research provides insights for adaptive governance, well-balanced and resilient development of maritime clusters.