Developing a sustainable smart port index (SSPI): assessing digital and environmental maturity of Bangladesh's seaports

This research explored the relationship between fundamental smart port practices and Smart Port Index (SPI) adoption, while assessing the effects of SPI implementation on port operational performance across three major ports in Bangladesh: Chattogram, Mongla, and Payra. Six hypotheses were tested, and the results indicated that AI integration in port management practices significantly predicted SPI adoption (β = 0.163, p = 0.002). However, the study found that disposal management effectiveness had no significant effect on SPI adoption rates (β = 0.061, p = 0.241). The research further revealed that adopting smart port practices, such as real-time logistics, automation, and energy-efficient systems, directly leads to significant improvements in port operational performance. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing digital literacy, implementing artificial intelligence, establishing comprehensive energy policies, digitizing waste management, and integrating smart technologies into safety and security systems to drive SPI adoption and improve port performance. The study also showed that Chattogram Port outperformed Mongla and Payra Ports, indicating its more advanced implementation of smart port practices. Future research could benefit from longitudinal studies to examine the evolving impact of SPI adoption and its long-term effects on port performance.