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REVIEW ARTICLE
The scope and definition of maritime logistics in light of contemporary research
Robert Marek 1
 
 
 
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Management and Quality Science Department, Gdynia Maritime University, Poland
 
 
Submission date: 2025-07-22
 
 
Final revision date: 2025-09-24
 
 
Acceptance date: 2025-09-30
 
 
Online publication date: 2025-12-03
 
 
Publication date: 2025-12-10
 
 
Corresponding author
Robert Marek   

Management and Quality Science Department, Gdynia Maritime University, ul. Morska 81-87, 81-225 Gdynia, Gdynia, Poland
 
 
Management 2025;(2):179-201
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58691/man/211512
 
 
Article (PDF)
References (49)
 
KEYWORDS
maritime logistics
cargo and cargo units logistics
logistics of sea mining
scope of maritime logistics
definition of maritime of logistics
 
JEL CLASSIFICATION CODES
L20
L23
D23
 
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Research background and purpose:
Maritime logistics has begun to develop more and more rapidly, no less, there is no defined scope of its activities. This study aims to identify the scope of maritime logistics activities.

Design/methodology/approach:
This study critically evaluates the scope of maritime logistics, which mainly refers to the area of container handling. Based on a literature review comparing maritime economists and competitors, it attempts to define the scope of maritime logistics.

Findings:
The assessment identifies the need to expand the scope of logistics, taking the entire maritime economy and not just a separate part of it as a reference point. In many cases, the proposed scope of maritime logistics focuses on the movement of cargo and/or cargo units between seaports. Literature research has identified a gap in this area, as there are no studies dedicated to this issue.

Value added and limitations:
The results of the study highlight the need for further research into the problems of maritime logistics and the preparation of methods and principles to improve its knowledge and efficiency of operations. Defining the scope of maritime logistics is important to understanding the current and emerging features of maritime logistics and the potential impacts it will have along maritime supply chains. This also contributes to the broader discussion on maritime logistics, such as definition and scope covering, in particular, such areas of logistics activity as: the logistics handling of cargo and cargo units, the logistics of people service, the logistics of sea mining, logistics of offshore electricity, logistics of clean seawater, logistics of breeding, fishing and agriculture, the logistics of water sports, the logistics of marine waste and recycling and method and tools of logistics support.
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