International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics (5 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Exploring the influencing mechanism of green logistics development in shipping enterprises  
  by Yihui Tian, Lingjun Ou, Qi Chang, Xiao Zhang, Nanhang Mao 
  Abstract: This study delves into the influencing mechanism of green shipping development which is a vital component of global logistics sustainability. Utilising grey system theory and the DEMATEL method, we collect and analyse data from the leading enterprise in Chinas shipping industry. The results underscore the paramount importance of advanced energy-saving technologies and sophisticated exhaust treatment systems in maritime vessels, supported by comprehensive energy management frameworks. Moreover, this study identifies the government of the port location as a fundamental factor, with industry associations playing an instrumental role in environmental governance. This investigation proposes actionable strategies for enhancing green logistics, contributing significantly to the discourse on sustainable development in the shipping industry. These strategies include advocating for governmental support in eco-friendly ship design and the rapid integration of green technologies, strengthening the role of industry associations, and encouraging shipowners and cargo operators to prioritise green logistics. This study offers essential insights into the realm of green logistics in shipping, contributing to the discourse on the industrys sustainable progression.
  Keywords: green logistics; shipping industry; grey-DEMATEL methodology; sustainability; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.10079131
   
  
• A simulation-based approach for arrival time estimation in last-mile logistics  
  by Ana Pegado-Bardayo, Ana Viana, João Pedro Pedroso, Jesús Muñuzuri 
  Abstract: The last-mile segment represents the costliest phase within logistics, predominantly attributed to inadequate coordination between the company and customers during the delivery process. This often leads to undelivered packages due to customer absence, forcing subsequent delivery attempts which generate avoidable, extra costs to the company. In an effort to address this challenge, a novel delivery policy is introduced, seeking to enhance this coordination by offering customers precise yet dependable delivery time windows. These time windows are obtained by simulating the couriers route through pre-defined routes, considering altering factors such as detours or rush hours. The outcomes of these simulations result in histograms illustrating arrival times at each node, facilitating the selection of time windows that strike an optimal balance between width and prediction confidence.
  Keywords: last-mile delivery; time-windows; simulation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.10079290
   
  
• How can ship operators respond to the carbon tax? Adopting alternative marine fuels as a strategic approach  
  by Hailing Liu, Keyi Ju, Jue Wang, Zhixuan Xu 
  Abstract: Adopting cleaner alternative fuels is critical for addressing the emerging carbon tax policies. This study proposes two carbon taxation mechanisms (fixed and progressive) and evaluates the feasibility of four alternative marine fuels: liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia incorporates both the net present value (NPV) and the profitability index (PI) to assess the economic viability of alternative fuels. Furthermore, the entropy weight TOPSIS method is applied to conduct a comprehensive assessment. The results indicate that: 1) the progressive carbon tax is particularly effective in reducing economic disparities between large and small ships; 2) hydrogen and ammonia offer significant environmental benefits, LNG provides notable economic benefits, methanol demonstrates superior economic efficiency, and ammonia exhibits the lowest supply risk; 3) the comprehensive evaluation reveals that ammonia is the most viable alternative fuel for ships due to its substantial environmental benefits and lowest supply risk while ensuring relatively higher economic feasibility. This finding helps to the development of more sustainable and economically feasible alternatives for maritime fuel use under carbon taxation frameworks.
  Keywords: carbon tax; alternative fuels; net present value; NPV; profitability index; PI.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.10079455
   
  
• Operation patterns of port shipping network under RCEP: an empirical analysis of Shanghai  
  by Jiawei Ge, Junshuo Huang, Lei Zhao 
  Abstract: The regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP) marks a major milestone in advancing regional seaborne trade, with profound implications for maritime transportation and economic integration. This paper investigates the basic connecting patterns among ports within the shipping network of the RCEP area. A weighted regional shipping network is constructed, utilising a joint coefficient of ship departure frequency and route capacity as the edge weight. The motif discovery algorithm is then leveraged to unearth the networks motif structure, revealing operation patterns among three-port and four-port combinations. Subsequently, we introduce link prediction theory and propose a hierarchical centrality-based model to estimate future connectivity within the RCEP region. Further, an empirical analysis is conducted on the container shipping network of Shanghai. Based on the insights gleaned from frequency enhancement and pattern improvement, this paper proposes optimisation strategies for the shipping network layout of Shanghai, providing crucial decision-making support for both enterprises and government bodies.
  Keywords: complex network; port shipping network; regional comprehensive economic partnership; RCEP; motif; link prediction.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.10079475
   
  
• Mapping global ESG discourse in logistics: a semantic and trend-based analysis of news media narratives  
  by Jihan Shin, Gwanyong Oh, Haobing Liu, Daejin Kim 
  Abstract: This study examines global trends in the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles within the logistics sector using a large-scale analysis of 4,764 news articles published between 2015 and 2024. Using term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) and semantic clustering with the universal sentence encoder (USE), the study identifies dominant themes, temporal dynamics, and cross-national variations in ESG-related logistics discourse. Findings show a clear prominence of environmental topics, especially carbon footprint reduction and sustainable packaging, while social and governance themes appear less consistently represented. Mann-Kendall trend tests reveal strong upward trajectories in areas such as labour rights, safety, and sustainability innovation. Cross-country correlation analysis indicates that ESG discourse intensity is moderately associated with national gross domestic product (GDP) but shows minimal alignment with performance indicators, including the logistics performance index (LPI), institutional shareholder services (ISS) ESG ratings, the environmental performance index (EPI), the human development index (HDI), and governance metrics. The study provides a scalable, media-based analytical framework that complements firm-level ESG research and offers strategic insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders.
  Keywords: environmental; social and governance; ESG; logistics; news media analysis; TF-IDF; Semantic clustering; cross-national ESG discourse.