Maritime Port Supply Chain Resilience: A Systematic Review
Digvijay Redekar, Ronald Askin, Feng Ju
TL;DR
This systematic review addresses the vulnerability of maritime port supply chains to natural, manmade, cyber, and cascading disruptions by focusing on operational excellence and system technology for resilience. It synthesizes literature across infrastructure, smart-port technologies, cyber security, disruption typologies, analytical models, theoretical frameworks, and government policies, highlighting how tools like digital twins, PCS, and multi-hazard risk methods can improve preparedness and recovery. The study identifies gaps such as human factors in automation, scalability to smaller ports, and integration of climate and cyber risks, offering directions for unified resilience frameworks and policy alignment. The findings provide a structured knowledge base to guide practitioners and policymakers in strengthening MTSCR, with implications for risk-informed investments and scenario-based planning.
Abstract
Maritime transportation systems (MTS) play a crucial role in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of essential goods and services, impacting the economy, border security and general welfare. However, MTS operations face disruptions from natural disasters, man-made disturbances, or cascading combinations of these events. These threats can disrupt trade routes, pose serious risks to personnel, and damage critical port infrastructure. In today's advanced technological world, MTS also face growing threats from cyberattack and terrorist attack. Given these evolving risks, efforts to ensure resilience in port operations must be more inclusive, reflecting the full spectrum of potential threats. This article focuses on two key aspects of maritime transportation supply chain resilience (MTSCR): operational excellence and system technology. It presents a structured review framework of relevant literature including research papers and government documents, to explore strategies for strengthening MTSCR. The article classifies the review findings and highlights vulnerable areas requiring future research.