Purpose This study examines how port service quality (SER), port security quality (SEC), and customer satisfaction (SAT) interact to influence port competitiveness (COM) in the context of Vietnam's container port industry. It seeks to provide new theoretical and empirical insights into how ports can achieve a sustainable competitive advantage by integrating service excellence and security within a customer-centric framework. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4 to test the proposed model. A structured survey was conducted with 259 valid responses collected from key stakeholders in Vietnam's port sector, including shipping lines, logistics service providers, and cargo owners, between October 2024 and January 2025. Data collection employed a mixed-method strategy, combining online and face-to-face outreach with support from relevant industry associations. Findings The findings confirm that SER is a core driver of both SAT and COM, functioning through direct and mediated pathways. SEC, while not directly influencing competitiveness, significantly affects customer satisfaction, which in turn fully mediates its impact on competitiveness. These results highlight the indirect yet strategic role of security in shaping customer perceptions and trust, reinforcing the centrality of satisfaction as a conduit linking both service and security to competitive outcomes. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by integrating service and security dimensions within a unified model of port competitiveness. It reframes port security from a regulatory necessity into a strategic enabler of perceived value. By emphasizing the mediating role of customer satisfaction, it extends service-dominant logic and customer value theory into a maritime logistics context, offering practical implications for ports in emerging economies to evolve into service-oriented, security-aware competitive hubs.

Purpose In the Asian context, the concept of “relationship” is ambiguous, as it goes beyond elements such as time or collaboration commonly found in the academic literature. The purpose of this research is to better understand relationships between multimodal transport services (MTS), Logistics Service Value (LSV), Relationship Quality (RQ) and Guanxi (GX) on shippers' Business Performance (BP). Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted with data collected from the Thai National Shippers' Council members, and a structural equation model was developed with proposed hypothesized relationships. The proposed empirical model was statistically validated. Findings The results have shown that both MTS and LSV show a negative impact on BP when moderated by RQ and GX. This indicates that the involvement of these two factors has a significant influence on shippers' BP. Originality/value The results of this research can provide future researchers and practitioners with insights on understanding the impact of relationships in Asian countries.

Purpose The aim of this study is threefold: first, to identify the ship or workplace and social or company aspects of the work environment that are most important to seafarers; second, to examine how these factors contribute to seafarer job satisfaction (SJS) and third, to offer evidence-based guidelines for human resource management (HRM) interventions aimed at enhancing SJS. Design/methodology/approach Data on overall and facet SJS were collected from seafarers employed on merchant vessels. Moreover, multi-criteria satisfaction analysis, a method that combines multi-criteria decision and importance-performance analyses, was employed to uncover the facets of SJS that seafarers value most and call for immediate interventions by shipping companies. Findings The findings suggest that seafarers place greater value on the social or company aspects of their work environment – i.e. relationships with colleagues, training and development (T&D), recognition, well-being and fairness – than on ship or workplace aspects. The study results further indicate that relationships with colleagues and T&D are the stronger contributors to SJS within Greek shipping companies. Practical implications The findings provide actionable insights for shipping companies seeking to improve SJS. By constantly investing in the workplace aspects that matter to seafarers and addressing areas of underperformance, ship management companies can ensure more effective and timely HRM interventions. Originality/value This study is among the few that adopts a structured research framework in examining SJS. Moreover, it contributes to the SJS literature by simultaneously considering the aspects of the workplace that seafarers value and the shipping companies' performance regarding these aspects, thereby setting a foundation for future research and policy development in the maritime industry.

Purpose This study evaluates the impact of multidimensional seaport connectivity, which consists of hinterland connectivity (SHC), maritime connectivity (SMC), digital connectivity (DCN) and sustainable connectivity (SUC), on customer satisfaction and seaport competitiveness. Furthermore, it assesses the moderating effect of government institutional support (GIS) on these relationships. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining a literature review, expert interviews and a quantitative survey. Data were collected from 406 enterprises involved in port-related logistic activities in Vietnam. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed relationships and moderation effects. Findings The results reveal that hinterland connectivity, digital connectivity and sustainable connectivity positively influence both customer satisfaction and seaport competitiveness. In contrast, maritime connectivity has a significant direct effect on competitiveness but does not directly affect customer satisfaction. The moderating effect of GIS was insignificant in most relationships, except for sustainable connectivity, where GIS moderated the relationship so the positive impact on customer satisfaction persisted across levels, although with reduced magnitude at higher GIS. Originality/value This study develops a novel conceptualization of seaport connectivity by introducing a multidimensional framework beyond the traditional focus on hinterland and maritime connectivity. It defines and incorporates digital connectivity and sustainable connectivity as two new strategic dimensions. This reflects current demands of digitalization and sustainability in port development and offers guidance for policymakers in formulating integrated connectivity strategies and institutional support.

Purpose Dry ports can enhance port–hinterland connectivity while offering environmental benefits, but their contributions vary depending on port characteristics, spatial settings and inland network locations. Additionally, tightening environmental regulations in the shipping industry may increase regional disparities in the benefits of dry ports. This study examines the impact of environmental policies and dry port operations on regional disparities in dry port benefits. Design/methodology/approach A utility-based cost model evaluates accessibility to seaports in China's Bohai region under two scenarios: (1) direct road transport and (2) intermodal road–rail transport via dry ports. The difference in generalized cost measures between the two scenarios is considered to be the benefit of dry ports for the corresponding city. Findings This study reveals that while dry ports improve overall connectivity and provide economic and environmental benefits, these benefits are unevenly distributed across the hinterlands. Factors such as proximity to dry ports, frequency of rail services and cargo time value play significant roles in influencing accessibility. Furthermore, the implementation of carbon tax policies enhances the advantages for cities with efficient dry port operations. Research limitations/implications Data reliance and uniform cost assumptions introduce biases. Future research should employ comprehensive data and assess green technologies to advance sustainable logistics at dry ports. Practical implications Policymakers can leverage these findings to guide dry port investments and design equitable environmental policies. Social implications Equitable port access fosters economic growth and sustainable development in hinterland communities. Originality/value This study advances how dry ports and environmental regulations jointly shape regional logistic benefits, offering a framework for more informed decision-making in port–hinterland planning.

Purpose The use of risk appetite models was to understand how far the seaport-fulcrum supply chain stakeholders were willing to absorb the conditional seaport risk attribute to minimize potential revenue loss. Additionally, incorporating the decision-maker’s risk appetite into the supply chain risk assessment process enables organizations to develop tailored risk management strategies that align with their overall risk tolerance. Design/methodology/approach The risk appetite model is consisted of two parameters, such as predicted probability of revenue loss and utility score. Both parameters reflect the relationships between preferences, utility and behavior of the stakeholders. Findings The study found that port authorities, including seaport operators, were more willing to accept the conditional seaport risks than seaport users, who tended to be more risk-averse in both the sporadic and repetitive risk cases. This suggests that seaport users rely on the policies and decisions made by the port authorities. Research limitations/implications Comparisons with the utility maximization concept are needed to understand to what extent the stakeholder preference toward the revenue loss is related to seaport-fulcrum supply chain risk factors and attributes. Practical implications The model can help the stakeholders to prioritize the potential supply chain threat factors and conditional seaport risk attributes toward potential revenue loss. Furthermore, risk tolerance can also help the stakeholders to balance effective risk management and their preferred level of risk exposure. Originality/value Instead of using surveys and simple statistical calculations, this study considers the interdependency of conditional seaport risk in computation. This makes the risk tolerance of conditional seaport risk attributes correlated directly with the potential supply chain threat factors.

Purpose This study explores the complex process of digital technology adoption and institutionalization within the Thai maritime industry. It aims to discern the pivotal factors that influence the integration of digital technologies into organizational practices, focusing on members of the Thai Shipowners Association (TSA). Design/methodology/approach This study integrates the technology organization and environment (TOE) framework, technology acceptance model (TAM) and institutional theory to investigate digital technology adoption in the Thai maritime industry. A survey was distributed to all shipowners in the TSA, achieving a 22% response rate with 240 valid responses from an estimated 1,100 employees. Data were analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings Key findings of the research include the identification of IT skills and IT support as strong predictors of perceived ease of use, while organizational culture and top management endorsement significantly influence perceived benefits. The study also highlights the less definitive impact of organizational rules and legal requirements on adoption intentions. A notable insight is the role of social pressure in driving institutional changes, emphasizing the importance of external influences in technology integration. Research limitations/implications This study’s primary limitation is its context-specific focus on Thai maritime companies, which may not generalize to other industries or cultural contexts. Findings could vary under different organizational conditions or regulatory frameworks. Additionally, some results, such as the non-significant impacts of reliable IT infrastructure and legal frameworks, suggest complexities in technology adoption and institutionalization not fully captured by the study. Future research should expand these findings across diverse industries and explore how evolving digital technologies influence organizational strategies. Originality/value This research contributes uniquely by deploying an integrative theoretical model to examine digital technology adoption in an industry that is traditionally slow to innovate. The findings offer substantial insights into the processes of adoption and institutionalization, demonstrating how these contribute to long-term operational improvements in maritime businesses. This dual focus is instrumental for stakeholders aiming to navigate the complexities of digital transformation effectively.

Purpose This study aims to explore the impact of just-in-time (JIT) arrival systems on the attractiveness and economic viability of short sea shipping (SSS), particularly in the feeder containership sector. Specifically, it quantitatively examines how the optimization of sailing speeds (occurring from the application of JIT systems) may influence the competitiveness of SSS, especially in terms of cost. Design/methodology/approach Within a vector error correction model framework, we conduct scenario analysis to assess the influence of speed optimization on freight rates. The dataset includes the Intra-Asia Container Freight Index, average speed and fleet development of feeder ships. Findings The results suggest that the implementation of a JIT arrival policy leads to moderate freight rate reductions, ranging from −0.18% to −4.39%. Beyond the cost benefits, speed optimization through virtual arrival policies enhances the overall competitiveness of SSS in terms of transit time, service reliability and environmental footprint. Originality/value To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the impact of JIT arrival systems on the competitiveness of SSS while also providing empirical evidence. The findings suggest that policymakers and relevant stakeholders should embrace JIT systems to render SSS a more competitive and sustainable mode of transport.

Purpose Selecting optimal bunker supply vessels (BSVs) is critical for shipping companies to enhance operational efficiency, control costs and meet environmental goals. This study identifies the core determinants of BSV selection to support informed decision-making in maritime logistics. Design/methodology/approach An integrated fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (fuzzy-AHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (fuzzy-TOPSIS) approach is employed. About eight industry experts evaluated ten BSV alternatives based on 20 sub-criteria spanning economic, operational, environmental and technological dimensions, including fuel cost, bunker consumption, ship age, bunker capacity and technological equipment level. Findings Economic and operational criteria dominate BSV selection, with fuel cost (0.089 weight) and bunker consumption (0.077 weight) being the most influential. Vessels A6 and A2 ranked highest due to their fuel efficiency, large bunker capacity, fast discharge rates, low carbon footprint and advanced technology. The framework demonstrates significant impacts on operational and environmental performance. Originality/value Unlike prior studies focusing on bunker purchasing or port selection, this research uniquely integrates economic, operational, environmental and technological criteria using a hybrid fuzzy-AHP and fuzzy-TOPSIS approach. It addresses uncertainties in BSV selection, offering a novel decision-support framework for sustainable maritime logistics.

Purpose The sale and purchase of financial commodities has gained importance in recent years, leading to a growing and diverse interest in shipping companies’ investment. However, due to the shipping sector’s idiosyncratic features, investors and researchers constantly seek novel and more accurate forecasting techniques. Design/methodology/approach This research involves comparing a traditional econometric model, ARIMA, with decision tree regression, random forest model and an LSTM neural network model to predict stock prices for six maritime companies. Additionally, it proposes a hybrid ARIMA-LSTM model that leverages the strengths of both approaches. Findings The LSTM model outperforms the ARIMA model in all six cases, based on MAE, MSE and MAPE metrics. In addition, ARIMA dominates decision tree regression and random forest models, in the majority of cases. It also demonstrates the superiority of the proposed model. The study demonstrates that models can conduct highly accurate predictions of maritime stocks using only their past values despite their strong dependence on macroeconomic factors. Research limitations/implications The findings extend the application of LSTM models and artificial neural networks to the prediction of an asset type that has been underexplored in the literature. Additionally, the proposed model can be applied to the prediction of other types of stocks. Originality/value We highlight the type of connection between a maritime stock and its past values. Additionally, we propose a new hybrid model for predicting the daily prices of maritime stocks and a strategy for selecting a forecasting model based on user requirements for accuracy and preparation time.