Port Economics: A Bibliometric Analysis of Contemporary Research Trends

Author : Alen Jugovic, Miljen Sirotic, Marijan Brubnjak

Abstract :Port economics is the interdisciplinary study of economic decisions on seaports, and their consequences on efficiency, competitiveness and impact on global supply chains. Contemporary research in port economics is fragmented, as varied approaches and themes make it challenging for scholars to form a clear outlook of current trends. To bridge the identified gap, this article conducts a bibliometric analysis of 48 articles regarding the main features of nautical tourism ports. The articles were published in 36 academic journals and authored by 124 authors. Bibliometric data from the Web of Science database were extracted and processed using the Bibliometrix package in R. This method facilitated the revealment of the most impactful articles, journals authors, and institutions, as measured by various bibliographic indices. The application of the bibliographic coupling methodology in VOSviewer software enabled the identification of two distinct research clusters: (1) Maritime Port Performance and Strategic Decision-Making; and (2) Port Systems Analysis. Content analysis of identified clusters indicates that contemporary port economics revolves around trends such as Supply Chain Integration and Regionalization, Institutional and Strategic Focus and Policy and Regulatory Reforms. The findings offer a scientifically robust foundation for scholars and practitioners aiming to understand how port economics is evolving under the stated trends of the maritime industry

Keywords :Port economics, institutional analysis, port regionalization, bibliometric analysis.

Conference Name :International Conference on Sea Transportation and Logistics (ICSTL-25)

Conference Place Paris,France

Conference Date 24th Nov 2025