Efficient logistics is a key factor in the competitiveness of seaports, especially in regions such as the Baltic Sea, where ports play important roles as hubs in the European Union’s Trans-European transport network (TEN-T). However, there are a lack of comprehensive studies focusing on the logistics efficiency of Baltic Sea ports, especially those integrating technical and technological factors. This study aimed to assess changes in the logistics efficiency of 15 major ports in the Baltic Sea region between 2019 and 2023, taking into account the technological and infrastructure-related elements that influence port performance. The model developed by the authors integrates the nearest neighbour method for cluster identification, data envelopment analysis using the Banker, Charnes, and Cooper (DEA-BCC) model to assess the overall technical, pure technical, and scale logistics efficiency, and spatial autocorrelation analysis to explore spatial interactions. For the DEA-BCC model, constraints were defined for each port based on inputs (number and length of berths) and outputs (cargo and container volumes for 2019–2023). The spatial autocorrelation analysis examined the relationships among the Baltic Sea ports, container volumes, and logistic efficiency values derived from the DEA model. Recognizing the sensitivity of the weight matrix in previous studies, this paper introduced an enhanced two-factor weighting matrix that incorporated geographical distance and the port connectivity index, calculated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The statistical reliability of the results was validated using z-scores and p-values. The results showed that the overall technical efficiency of the ports analysed during the period considered was 47.2%, the pure technical efficiency was 61.0%, and the average scale efficiency was around 76%, indicating that diminishing returns to scale dominated. The spatial analysis showed a strong correlation between port connectivity and efficiency, indicating that well-connected ports, such as Gdańsk and Gdynia, had a higher efficiency. The findings make a significant contribution to the understanding of the logistics efficiency of Baltic Sea ports and highlights the importance of regional cooperation, infrastructure improvements, and better connectivity strategies to improve the overall efficiency of seaports in the region.

In transport and logistics systems, decision-making is increasingly influenced by uncertainty stemming from demand variability, technological disruptions, and systemic risks present in supply chains. In these contexts, organizations need approaches that are rooted in data and analysis to assess key elements affecting system resilience and performance. Although current studies widely utilize stochastic and fuzzy models for operational decision-making, there has been insufficient focus on the systematic assessment of human-centric system elements—especially competencies—as decision variables in intricate logistics systems. This research proposes an analytical framework for multi-criteria decision-making that is driven by data and aimed at evaluating the significance of various competencies that affect labor market competitiveness and the adaptability of supply chains. The approach combines expert assessment with statistical and information-theoretic metrics, utilizing Kendall’s coefficient of concordance for evaluating consistency, Shannon entropy for analyzing distributional uncertainty, and the Gini coefficient for measuring concentration. This integrated method allows for the measurement of both variability and inequality within decision frameworks in the face of uncertainty. The findings indicate that hands-on experience and professional skills play a crucial role in decision-making structures, whereas the ability to adapt to technological advancements and a commitment to ongoing learning greatly enhance system resilience. The entropy results reveal a significant degree of structural balance in the decision criteria, while the low Gini values affirm a lack of concentration, indicating a distributed and multi-dimensional decision-making environment. The study provides analytical insights into the structure and relative importance of competencies in decision-making contexts related to supply chain resilience.

Even though the literature extensively examines aspects of the efficiency, waterway infrastructure, and competitiveness of inland waterway transport (IWT), a systemic composite index that integrates navigational, operational, and digital factors of IWT infrastructure into a single comparable evaluation system at the level of port hinterlands has not been identified. This study proposes a multi-criteria inland waterway transport infrastructure index (IWTI) designed to assess complex infrastructure conditions. The IWTI measures infrastructural readiness, physical navigational, operational, and digital prerequisites that enable the realisation of IWT potential. The index is calculated using the multi-criteria decision-making method TOPSIS, with criterion weights determined based on expert evaluation (n = 7) data. Rank stability was tested via Spearman’s rank correlation sensitivity analysis under three alternative weighting scenarios. The methodology was applied to assess seven ports in the Baltic Sea region using data from 2023. The IWTI ranges from 0.00 (Tallinn does not have an IWT connection) to 0.80 (Szczecin). The study revealed significant regional differences: the hinterland of the HaminaKotka port is characterised by a mature Saimaa canal and lake system; the hinterlands of Szczecin and Klaipėda demonstrate strong potential for the Oder/Odra and Nemunas corridors; the port of Gdańsk was identified as a medium-potential case with clearly defined priorities for infrastructure improvements. The ports of Gdynia and Riga lack functional inland waterway connections, but the infrastructural potential scenario indicates significant IWTI growth opportunities upon the implementation of planned investments. Sensitivity analysis confirmed high stability of the rank (Spearman ρ ≥ 0.964 in all scenarios). The proposed index provides a structured methodological basis for evaluating IWT potential and can serve as a decision-making tool for infrastructure planning and transport policy development, contributing to sustainable cargo carriage and the decarbonisation goals of the transport sector.

This article examines the ecological efficiency of a maritime container terminal's technological pattern, taking into account the requirements of the European Green Deal and goals for reducing CO2 emissions. In the context of the study, emphasis is placed on the ecological aspect, evaluating not only integrated efficiency indicators but also considering factors of sustainable development based on energy efficiency and the reduction of CO2 and other pollutant emissions. The European Green Deal obliges maritime ports to assess not only integrated efficiency indicators but also to implement measures to reduce CO2 emissions. In this context, the initiative of Klaipeda port, which is implementing a green port development plan in accordance with the directives of the European Green Deal, is highlighted. While many existing emission assessment models analyze overall annual emissions, there is a lack of well-defined models for evaluating the ecological efficiency of a specific technological pattern. During the research, an assessment of a container terminal was conducted, evaluating CO2 emissions during loading operations onto a ship using a specific cargo handling technological process. The main contribution of the study is to validate a model for assessing emitted CO2 levels in container terminals, utilizing a mode of movement based on transport type. The research provides insights that can be applied to other maritime ports, aiming for optimal technological line efficiency and compliance with environmental standards. Šiame straipsnyje nagrinėjamas jūrų uosto konteinerių terminalo technologinės linijos ekologinis efektyvumas, atsižvelgiant į Europos žaliosios krypties strategijos reikalavimus ir CO2 emisijų mažinimo tikslus. Tyrimo kontekste pabrėžiamas ekologinis aspektas, vertinant ne tik integruotus efektyvumo rodiklius, bet ir atsižvelgiant į darnios plėtros veiksnius, grindžiamus energijos efektyvumu bei CO2 ir kitų teršalų emisijų mažinimu. Europos žaliosios krypties strategija verčia jūrų uostus vertinti ne tik integruotus efektyvumo rodiklius, bet ir įgyvendinti CO2 emisijų mažinimo priemones. Šiame kontekste pabrėžiama Klaipėdos uosto iniciatyva, kuri įgyvendina žaliojo uosto vystymo planą pagal Europos žaliosios krypties direktyvas. Daugumoje esamų taršos emisijų vertinimo modelių analizuojamos bendros metinės emisijos, tačiau nėra išsamiai apibrėžtų vertinimo modelių, kaip įvertinti konkrečios technologinės linijos ekologinį efektyvumą. Tyrimo metu atliktas konteinerių terminalo vertinimas, kuriame įvertintos CO2 emisijos vykdant krovos į laivą operacijas naudojant konkretų krovos technologinį procesą. Pagrindinis tyrimo indėlis – patikrinti išmetamo CO2 kiekio konteinerių terminaluose vertinimo modelį, kuriame naudojamas judėjimo pagal transporto rūšį metodas. Tyrimas suteikia įžvalgų, kurios gali būti pritaikytos kituose jūrų uostuose siekiant optimalaus technologinės linijos efektyvumo bei aplinkosaugos standartų atitikimo.