A systematic literature review of sustainable ports strategies and initiatives in the Arabian Gulf ports – lessons for Saudi Arabia and UAE

This systematic review provides a comprehensive evaluation of sustainability strategies in Arabian Gulf ports, focusing on the interplay between technological advancements, green initiatives, and regulatory challenges. While Industry 4.0 technologies—such as automation, artificial intelligence, and electrification—have been integrated to enhance operational efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, the extent to which these innovations align with regional policy frameworks and geopolitical constraints remains insufficiently analysed. To address this gap, this review synthesises insights from 25 peer-reviewed studies, employing a comparative framework to assess the adoption of sustainability practices in Arabian Gulf ports, focusing on their approaches toward sustainable port development. It is worth noting that while there are many studies on sustainable ports globally, the Gulf context yielded only 25 relevant articles. This highlights that sustainability in the Gulf port context remains underexplored despite the region’s global importance in maritime logistics. Moreover, ports in this region are among the best-performing globally in achieving sustainability goals, as reflected in the World Bank’s CCPI Index rankings. The findings indicate that despite significant investments in digitalisation and renewable energy, the large-scale implementation of sustainable port initiatives continues to be hindered by regulatory fragmentation, governance inconsistencies, and geopolitical uncertainties. This study underscores the urgent need for harmonised governance frameworks, cross-border policy coordination, and standardised sustainability metrics to accelerate the transition toward eco-friendly and resilient maritime logistics in the Gulf region. The review concludes with strategic recommendations for policymakers and port authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE—the countries of interest in this study—emphasising the importance of regional cooperation, technological integration, and adaptive regulatory policies to enhance both environmental sustainability and operational efficiency in Saudi and Emirati ports.