Circular developments of maritime industrial ports in Europe: a semi-systematic review of the current situation

Abstract Our current approaches to resource management are not sustainable. Businesses typically follow a linear approach where resources are not well utilized. Maritime ports are part of the problem, as they need to optimize the use of resources and generate negative externalities. However, they ca...

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Main Authors: J. Barona, F. Ballini, M. Canepa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2023-08-01
Series:Journal of Shipping and Trade
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-023-00153-w
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author J. Barona
F. Ballini
M. Canepa
author_facet J. Barona
F. Ballini
M. Canepa
author_sort J. Barona
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Our current approaches to resource management are not sustainable. Businesses typically follow a linear approach where resources are not well utilized. Maritime ports are part of the problem, as they need to optimize the use of resources and generate negative externalities. However, they can also be important drivers of sustainability if they effectively transition to Circular Economy (CE). In this study, eight principles of CE and ten CBMs, are discussed and used to analyze ports in three areas of intervention. This paper analyzes current CE practices in European ports and the potential to adopt Circular Business Models (CBMs) to create value for port stakeholders and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drivers and barriers to CE were analyzed, and the level of development was assessed. The ports studied are in Europe and are generally regarded as Maritime Industrial Ports (MIP). The methodology includes a Semi-Systematic Literature Review (SSLR) and a SWOT analysis to examine CE practices in maritime ports. This methodology helped enhance the analysis of Drivers and Barriers to CE transition. This study concludes that ports are developing circular practices and business models on the technical and biological flows, but the level of implementation is moderated to low. Six drivers for adopting CE principles were identified, including European ports’ experience in circular activities and the Quality & Environmental Management System (EMS). In addition, seven barriers to CE were highlighted, including the diversity of port characteristics and the different interests and ambitions of port stakeholders that make it difficult to standardize measurements and transition to circularity. Circular development goals in ports should be integrated, and development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The findings and implications of this study will help Port Authorities (PA) in the strategy, policy development, and implementation of CBMs.
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spelling doaj.art-edd67ddae4ab44c59f499b3580d4096b2023-11-26T12:21:51ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Shipping and Trade2364-45752023-08-018113510.1186/s41072-023-00153-wCircular developments of maritime industrial ports in Europe: a semi-systematic review of the current situationJ. Barona0F. Ballini1M. Canepa2World Maritime University (WMU)World Maritime University (WMU)World Maritime University (WMU)Abstract Our current approaches to resource management are not sustainable. Businesses typically follow a linear approach where resources are not well utilized. Maritime ports are part of the problem, as they need to optimize the use of resources and generate negative externalities. However, they can also be important drivers of sustainability if they effectively transition to Circular Economy (CE). In this study, eight principles of CE and ten CBMs, are discussed and used to analyze ports in three areas of intervention. This paper analyzes current CE practices in European ports and the potential to adopt Circular Business Models (CBMs) to create value for port stakeholders and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drivers and barriers to CE were analyzed, and the level of development was assessed. The ports studied are in Europe and are generally regarded as Maritime Industrial Ports (MIP). The methodology includes a Semi-Systematic Literature Review (SSLR) and a SWOT analysis to examine CE practices in maritime ports. This methodology helped enhance the analysis of Drivers and Barriers to CE transition. This study concludes that ports are developing circular practices and business models on the technical and biological flows, but the level of implementation is moderated to low. Six drivers for adopting CE principles were identified, including European ports’ experience in circular activities and the Quality & Environmental Management System (EMS). In addition, seven barriers to CE were highlighted, including the diversity of port characteristics and the different interests and ambitions of port stakeholders that make it difficult to standardize measurements and transition to circularity. Circular development goals in ports should be integrated, and development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The findings and implications of this study will help Port Authorities (PA) in the strategy, policy development, and implementation of CBMs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-023-00153-wMaritime industrial ports (MIP)Port sustainabilityCircular economy (CE) and Circular portsCircular business models (CBMs)Industrial symbiosis (IS)
spellingShingle J. Barona
F. Ballini
M. Canepa
Circular developments of maritime industrial ports in Europe: a semi-systematic review of the current situation
Journal of Shipping and Trade
Maritime industrial ports (MIP)
Port sustainability
Circular economy (CE) and Circular ports
Circular business models (CBMs)
Industrial symbiosis (IS)
title Circular developments of maritime industrial ports in Europe: a semi-systematic review of the current situation
title_full Circular developments of maritime industrial ports in Europe: a semi-systematic review of the current situation
title_fullStr Circular developments of maritime industrial ports in Europe: a semi-systematic review of the current situation
title_full_unstemmed Circular developments of maritime industrial ports in Europe: a semi-systematic review of the current situation
title_short Circular developments of maritime industrial ports in Europe: a semi-systematic review of the current situation
title_sort circular developments of maritime industrial ports in europe a semi systematic review of the current situation
topic Maritime industrial ports (MIP)
Port sustainability
Circular economy (CE) and Circular ports
Circular business models (CBMs)
Industrial symbiosis (IS)
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-023-00153-w
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