The Blue Economy and Ports: Mapping Research Trends through Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

The blue economy has increasingly been recognized in recent years as a development framework aimed at aligning economic growth with the preservation of marine and coastal ecosystems. In this context, the port sector plays a particularly important role, as it connects maritime transport, international trade, and regional development. Ports function as key logistical and institutional hubs where economic activities, environmental requirements, and development policies related to the sustainable use of marine resources intersect. Despite the growing interest in the blue economy, the scientific literature that systematically examines its relationship with the port sector remains fragmented and dispersed across various thematic and disciplinary fields, which hinders a comprehensive understanding of the development of this research area. The aim of this paper is to analyze the development and structure of research on the blue economy and ports, with a particular focus on publication trends, dominant research themes, and patterns of international scientific collaboration. The study is based on a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection database over the period from 2015 to 2025. Following the application of clearly defined inclusion criteria, the final sample consisted of 271 articles published in 94 sources. The analysis was conducted using the Biblioshiny tool (Bibliometrix, R), applying descriptive bibliometric indicators, keyword analysis, thematic mapping, and an examination of collaboration patterns among authors and countries. The results indicate a significant increase in scientific output, particularly after 2020, confirming the growing research interest in linking the blue economy and the port sector. Thematic analysis reveals a concentration of research around the terms blue economy, ports, management, and sustainability, which represent the core concepts of the analyzed research field. Temporal keyword analysis further indicates a gradual expansion of the research focus toward topics such as climate change, trade, and ecosystem services. The findings confirm a dynamic and interdisciplinary development of research at the intersection of the blue economy and the port sector and highlight the need for further in-depth investigation of the institutional, environmental, and developmental dimensions of this field.