Submission
Shaping the Future of Maritime Economics
The IAME 2026 Conference explores how maritime economics is being reshaped by key transformative forces, namely digitalisation, decarbonisation, geopolitical shifts, and the imperative for resilience. These transitions are redefining the operational and strategic landscape of maritime transport, supply chains, and port systems.
At the same time, these disruptions invite critical reflection on the role of theory. IAME 2026 seeks to examine the recursive relationship between practice and theory: How can classical economic models and frameworks be applied or adapted to address current transition challenges? And conversely, to what extent do these new realities challenge the assumptions underpinning traditional maritime economic thought?
By bridging empirical research, conceptual advancement, and policy discourse, the conference aims to shape a meaningful agenda for the future of maritime economics.
We cordially welcome scholars, researchers, and professionals to submit their abstracts or full papers on novel work that contributes to knowledge and/or practice.
Topics for IAME 2026
Sustainability & Environment
- Blue economy development and coastal community resilience
- Climate change adaptation, sea-level rise, and port resilience
- ESG and sustainability in global maritime industries
- Green fuels, energy transition, and alternative propulsion (LNG, methanol, hydrogen, wind assist)
- Green shipping, decarbonisation and environmental responsibility
- Marine ecosystems, conservation, and sustainable resource management
- Port sustainability, energy efficiency, and green port initiatives
- Maritime decarbonisation policies and IMO regulations (EEXI, CII, ETS, carbon pricing)
Technology & Innovation
- Artificial intelligence, big data, and digitalisation in maritime transport
- Autonomous, smart, and specialised shipping (e.g., Arctic, coastal)
- Cybersecurity in shipping, ports, and maritime supply chains
- Digital twins, blockchain, IoT, and cyber-physical systems in maritime transport
- Emerging technologies for shipping and port efficiency
Policy, Governance & Human Factors
- Human capital, seafarer welfare, and maritime education
- Insurance, reinsurance, and risk modelling for climate and geopolitical disruptions
- Maritime health, pandemic preparedness, and seafarer well-being
- Maritime history, heritage, and cultural perspectives
- Maritime law, regulation, and insurance
- Maritime cluster development, innovation ecosystems, and regional competitiveness
Operations & Management
- Efficiency, performance, and service quality assessment
- Maritime strategy, operations, and management practices
- Network design, connectivity, and scheduling in shipping and logistics
- Planning, operations, and management in seaports
- Resilience in shipping networks, cargo flows, and passenger movements
- Safety, security, and risk management in maritime industries
Trade, Markets & Finance
- Consumer behaviour, market analysis, and trade patterns
- Cruise, ferry, and passenger shipping markets
- Geopolitics, trade routes, and strategic chokepoints (Panama, Suez, Arctic)
- Intermodal transport integration and global connectivity
- Logistics, supply chain strategy, and port hinterland development
- Shipping finance, investment, and maritime economics
Format and Guidelines
Extended Abstract
The extended abstract should have between 1,500 and 2,500 words, including references, appendices, and any other relevant material that comprehensively summarizes the research. The extended abstract should encompass:
- Introduction including Motivation and Objectives
- Methodology and data (including information on materials, nature and sources of data, data collection, and analysis)
- Results (including key findings and implications)
- References
Full Paper
Full paper should not exceed 7,500 words, including references, appendices, and any other relevant material. Submitted manuscripts must use attached template provided.
Only full papers are eligible for awards at the conference.
Submission Portal
Presentation
template
- Extended Abstracts: 15-minute slot (including Q&A)
- Full Papers: 15-minute slot (including Q&A)
- Loading Your Slides: Your presentation could be loaded via USB stick into the session room computer. The USB stick will be provided by the organization at the session room
awards
MEL Best Paper Award
MEL Editors will select the best paper that represents the theme and scope of the journal
MPM Best Paper Award
MPM Editors will select the best paper that represents the theme and scope of the journal
Young Scholar Best Paper Award
Panelist will decide the best presenter out of all the participants
Singapore Maritime Institute Best Paper Award
Selected by SMI for papers with the highest strategic relevance/policy impact to the maritime industry
Special Issues
The IAME 2026 Conference collaborates with leading academic journals to offer Special Issues featuring selected high-quality papers presented at the conference. Each Special Issue will focus on themes aligned with the conference topic “Shaping the Future of Maritime Economics”, inviting extended versions of selected papers following a rigorous peer-review process managed by the respective editorial teams.
Flagship Journals
Maritime Economics & Logistics (MEL)
Special Issue: Contemporary Maritime Economics: Transformations and Emerging Perspectives
Guest Editors:
Dr. Yuen Kum Fai (Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore)
Dr. Theo Notteboom (University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium)
Dr. Jamine Siu Lee Lam (Technical University of Denmark, Denmark)
Dr. Ziaul Haque Munim (University of South-Eastern Norway, Norway)
Indexed in: SSCI | Impact Factor: 4.8 (2024)
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, Springer Nature
Maritime Policy & Management (MPM)
Special Issue: Next Generation Maritime Transformation: Policies, Technologies, and Practices
Maritime Policy & Management is a leading SSCI-indexed journal publishing high-quality research on maritime policy, economics, and management.
This Special Issue, organised in partnership with the IAME 2026 Conference, explores how technological, environmental, financial, and geopolitical developments are reshaping global maritime systems. It welcomes contributions on maritime policy, governance, sustainability, digitalisation, and the transformation of shipping, ports, and logistics.
Guest Editors:
Indexed in: SSCI | Impact Factor: 3.6 (2024)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
SUPPORTING JOURNALS
Transportation Review Part E
Special Issue: Risk and Resilience of Global Logistics System under Trade War
Transportation Research Part E is a leading SSCI-indexed journal publishing high-quality research on logistics, transportation systems, and supply chain management.
In partnership with the IAME 2026 Conference, this Special Issue focuses on the risk and resilience of global logistics systems under trade war conditions. It welcomes interdisciplinary contributions that explore how geopolitical tensions, trade policies, and external disruptions affect global logistics performance and resilience. Topics of interest include risk assessment, supply chain modelling, multimodal transport resilience, digital platforms, and network reconfiguration under trade conflicts.
Guest Editors:
Dr. Kevin X. Li (Zhejiang University, China)
Dr. Panagiotis Angeloudis (Imperial College London, United Kingdom)
Dr. Kum Fai Yuen (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)
Dr. Xiwen Bai (Tsinghua University, China)
Dr. Yi Xiao (Beijing Normal–Hong Kong Baptist University, China)
Indexed in: SSCI | Impact Factor: 8.8 (2024)
Publisher: Elsevier
Maritime Business Review
Special Issue: Sustainability and Digitalisation in Maritime Logistics
Maritime Business Review is an academic journal focusing on business, logistics, maritime management, and related fields.
In collaboration with IAME 2026, this Special Issue invites original contributions on how sustainability concerns and digitalisation converge to transform maritime logistics. It seeks interdisciplinary work linking technology, policy, operations, and environmental management.
Guest Editors:
Dr. Chia-Hsun Chang (Liverpool John Moores University, UK)
Dr. Zaili Yang (Liverpool John Moores University, UK)
Dr. Wei (Vera) Zhang (University of Tasmania, Australia)
Dr. Adolf KY Ng (BNU-HKBU United International College, China)
Indexed in: ESCI | Impact Factor: 2.4 (2024)
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Maritime Transport Research
Special Issues: Strategies and Technologies for Green and Smart Maritime Transport
Maritime Transport Research is a leading interdisciplinary journal publishing high-quality research on maritime transportation, logistics, and operations.
This Special Issue focuses on strategies and technologies for green and smart maritime transport, addressing the urgent need to decarbonise and digitalise shipping and port systems. It welcomes interdisciplinary contributions that examine how advanced technologies, data-driven approaches, and sustainability strategies can jointly enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve operational performance and resilience. Topics of interest include smart shipping and ports, AI and big-data applications, alternative fuels, voyage and network optimisation, cybersecurity, and integrated solutions supporting the transition toward environmentally sustainable and intelligent maritime transport systems.
Guest Editors:
Dr. Yan Ran (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)
Dr. Wang Ruihan (Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore)
Dr. Liu Lei (Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore)
Indexed in: SSCI | Impact Factor: 4.8 (2025)
Publisher: Elsevier
Ocean Engineering
Special Issue: Multi-Source Information Fusion for Autonomous Systems under Dynamic Ocean Conditions
Ocean Engineering is a leading international journal publishing high-quality research on ocean engineering, marine technology, offshore systems, autonomous marine vehicles, and intelligent maritime systems.
This Special Issue focuses on multi-source information fusion methods for autonomous systems operating under dynamic and uncertain ocean conditions. It welcomes interdisciplinary contributions that advance sensing, perception, decision-making, and control of marine autonomous systems through the integration of heterogeneous data sources. Topics of interest include multi-sensor fusion, distributed and adaptive fusion frameworks, AI-driven fusion algorithms, cooperative autonomy, navigation and perception under uncertainty, and real-time fusion for maritime autonomous operations.
Guest Editors:
Dr. Ruobin Gao (Northwestern Polytechnical University, China)
Dr. Mingyang Zhang (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China)
Dr. Min Wu (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)
Dr. Cong Liu (Aalto University, Finland)
Indexed in: SCI | Impact Factor: 5.5 (2024)
Publisher: Elsevier
Further Special Issues with partnering journals are in preparation and will be announced soon.