Abstract
Ports are gateways to the world, at the crossroads of supply chains. They act as centres of energy, industry, and the blue economy, and increasingly centres of innovation and digitalisation. Ports are at the heart of various strategies and can be unique drivers of sustainability. All parties integrated and connected to a port have incentives to reduce energy consumption, emissions, and other environmental impacts. Port authorities must decarbonise logistics operations, offer alternative fuels for ships, and reduce energy costs. Energy companies must provide energy and heat at competitive prices, ensure supply and sustainability, and respond to the growing electrification. However, the literature shows a wide range of approaches to transitioning towards environmental sustainability in ports. This paper examines the roles that ports can play in advancing the transition. To this end, it proposes two complementary analytical perspectives. The first conceptualizes the port as an infrastructure whose activity is intrinsically linked to maritime transport, thereby functioning as a node within logistics chains that can foster energy and sustainability transitions. The second perspective approaches the port as an industrial cluster and logistics hub. Finally, a case study is presented to validate the proposed analytical framework and to assess whether the model adequately captures the range of measures implemented within the port context.
- How to cite: Larrea-Basterra, M. (2026). Dimensions of Port's Sustainability. An Analytical Framework. En E3S Web Conference, 722. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202672205004
