Ports are under increased pressure to reduce their negative climate and environmental impacts. Their roles and functions in transportation systems and the economy make them a key industry in promoting sustainability. In particular, small- and medium-sized ports (SMSPs) should serve as lighthouses or flagships of environmental and digital transformation, allowing access to remote locations and integrating peripheral regions. Their sustainability planning faces significant challenges in this context, such as limited resources, access to technical expertise, and stakeholder involvement. Sustainable planning strives for long-term viability, while balancing economic, social, and environmental goals. Ports can ensure that they are cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and capable of satisfying local people’s and companies’ long-term demands by applying sustainable planning methods. This research aims to assist stakeholders in designing and implementing activities that will optimize the sustainability of SMSPs, promote the sustainable development of the neighboring communities, and encourage the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.

Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) devices into port operations has brought substantial improvements in efficiency, automation, and connectivity. However, this technological advancement has also introduced new operational risks, particularly in terms of cybersecurity vulnerabilities and potential disruptions. The primary objective of this scientific article is to comprehensively analyze and identify the primary security threats and vulnerabilities that IoT devices face when deployed in port environments. This includes examining potential risks, such as unauthorized access, cyberattacks, malware, etc., that could disrupt critical port operations and compromise sensitive information. This research aims to assess the critical entities associated with IoT devices in port environments and develop a comprehensive risk-management framework tailored to these settings. It also aims to explore and propose strategic measures and best practices to mitigate these risks. For this research, a risk-management framework grounded in the principles of ORM, which includes risk avoidance, reduction, sharing, and retention strategies, was developed. The primary outcome of this research is the development of a comprehensive risk-management framework specifically tailored for IoT devices in port environments, utilizing Operational Risk-Management (ORM) methodology. This framework will systematically identify and categorize critical vulnerabilities and potential threats for IoT devices. By addressing these objectives, the article seeks to provide actionable insights and guidelines that can be adopted by port authorities and stakeholders to safeguard their IoT infrastructure and maintain operational stability in the face of emerging threats.

Small- and medium-sized ports (SMSPs) face multifaceted challenges, including environmental pressures (pollution, resource depletion) as well as socio-economic strains (community impacts, trade dynamics). Governance complexities, regulatory fragmentation, limited funding, and stakeholder conflicts further exacerbate these challenges. This study identifies context-driven sustainability indicators for SMSPs and proposes best practices to enhance their resilience. Four small/medium-sized ports (SMSPs) in Crete, Greece—Souda (CHA), Heraklion (HER), Rethymnon (RET), and Sitia (SIT)—were evaluated to benchmark their sustainability performance using tailored indicators. The primary objectives were the following: (a) to identify sustainability indicators relevant to SMSPs, focusing on economic, environmental, and social aspects, and (b) to propose best practices for enhancing sustainability in these ports, considering their unique characteristics and constraints. A combination of the Best Worst Method (BWM) and VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) analysis was employed. The findings revealed that “environmental monitoring and management” and “security of employment and social protection” are top priorities for medium-sized ports, while “competitiveness” was a crucial indicator for small ports, emphasizing the need for financial sustainability in the context of global trade. These results offer a strategic roadmap for policymakers, guiding interventions aimed at improving the sustainability and resilience of SMSPs, thereby supporting regional economies and international trade networks.