The Role of Ports as Blue Economy Hubs: Sustainability, Innovation, and Policy Alignment

Oceans contribute by approximately 3–5% to the global gross domestic product (GDP) and support a range of economic activities in coastal states. To balance environmental protection and economic rise, the Blue Economy concept was introduced. The blue economy concepts have been addressed via multiple literatures, however, there is a need for a systematic literature review to identify and assess the consolidated factors and existing research gaps. In this study, the research provides an observational assessment of port capacities to function as transformative pillars of the Blue Economy, focusing on their environmental performance and operational sustainability. The research results indicate that while many ports have adopted key environmental enablers, such as improved pollution control, ballast-water management, and emissions-reduction measures, their implementation varies significantly across regions, revealing persistent gaps related to governance, monitoring capability, and technological integration. From a broader perspective, the findings underscore the need for harmonized frameworks, strengthened regulatory alignment, and greater investment in green and smart port technologies to ensure that ports can fully support national and regional Blue Economy ambitions. This work contributes to the ongoing discourse by highlighting where progress has been made and where further research and policy innovation are critically required.