Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research on Port Infrastructure Vulnerability to Climate Change (2012–2023): Key Indices, Influential Contributions, and Future Directions

Abstract

This article analyzes the climate vulnerability of seaports through a bibliometric review of 45 articles published between 2012 and 2023. The research highlights the increase in publications focusing on the vulnerability of port infrastructure to climate impacts, a topic that previously received less attention compared to operational, economic, and logistical factors, which are frequently discussed in the existing literature. The analysis reinforces the relevance of this study, with the United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom emerging as the most influential countries in this research area. This article also reveals the predominance of methods based on the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI), which includes ports in its assessments, and emphasizes the need to develop a more robust index for evaluating port vulnerability. Additionally, it discusses current topics, such as sea level rise and the use of global climate models and suggests future research directions to enhance the assessment of port vulnerability in the face of climate change.