Review of globally adopted sustainable port management practices: A triple bottom line approach

Ports have emerged as pivotal actors in the global sustainability transition as climate imperatives, digitalization, and stakeholder expectations increasingly reshape port-centric logistics systems. Despite the growing prominence of port sustainability in academic discourse, existing studies offer limited empirical insight into how sustainability is implemented in practice. This study addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive assessment of sustainability adoption across global ports. Extracting and thoroughly reviewing 302 sustainability projects reported in the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP) database between 2014 and January 2025, the study systematically identifies and classifies 45 sustainable port management practices (SPMPs) within the triple bottom line (TBL) framework, comprising environmental, social and economic dimensions. A mixed-method approach is employed, integrating thematic analysis with exploratory data analysis and visual analytics using RapidMiner to examine global adoption patterns, spatial distribution, and dominant sustainability trajectories. The results reveal a clear prioritization of environmental sustainability practices, particularly energy management and pollution control, reflecting the regulatory and decarbonization pressures faced by ports. Social sustainability initiatives, centred on community engagement and workforce well-being, constitute the second most prominent dimension, while economic sustainability practices are increasingly driven by smart port technologies and digital transformation. However, the diffusion of economically oriented practices across port-centric logistics systems remains uneven. To enhance managerial relevance, the study develops a sustainability driver matrix linking 45 SPMPs to regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and social commitment, providing a practical decision-support framework for port authorities. By systematically mapping real-world sustainability practices, this study advances empirical understanding of TBL-based port sustainability and offers a scalable foundation for benchmarking, prioritization, and strategic planning toward more sustainable and resilient port operation.