This study addresses the critical gap between academic training and the competency demands of the maritime logistics and port management sector. Using a mixed-methods approach, it integrates benchmarking of postgraduate programs from leading universities, interviews with 15 stakeholders representing diverse industry profiles, and an in-depth curriculum analysis. The research identifies and categorizes essential technical, management, and interpersonal competencies, culminating in the development of a Competency Matrix to guide the alignment of academic curricula with industry requirements. Key competencies identified include strategic decision-making, operations management, data analysis, adaptability, teamwork, and customer engagement, all of which are critical to ensuring efficiency and competitiveness in the sector. This study introduces an innovative framework by combining benchmarking with qualitative insights, addressing a crucial gap in the literature while offering actionable strategies for academia to enhance training programs. The findings highlight the urgent need for universities to develop courses tailored to global challenges, such as digitalization, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. Although this study is exploratory and based on a limited sample size, it provides meaningful insights into the Portuguese maritime and port logistics sector, laying a solid foundation for future research. Further studies should investigate how innovation and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, are reshaping competency requirements in this dynamic and globalized industry.

Innovation driven by technological advancement and digitalization is transforming port operations. This study investigates the influence of the port innovation system , with a focus on optimizing ship and cargo services at the ports of Lisbon and Setúbal. The main dimensions of the Port Innovation System (PIS) include human capital, innovation demand, research cooperation, collaborative structures, incubation services, innovation culture, and governance, all of which influence Port Service Optimization (PSO). Using a mixed-methods approach, the study also explores the role of the strategy of the Port Development Company (PDC) in shaping innovation outcomes. This article contributes to both theory and practice by enhancing the understanding of innovation systems in ports and providing evidence-based guidance for policy and management. It finds that the quality of human capital affects the structures of port cooperation, and that the lack of alignment between innovation demand and research cooperation mechanisms undermines the effectiveness of the port innovation system. The results enable policymakers and industry leaders to focus on developing advanced skill enhancement programs, organizational structures and roadmaps to foster innovation in ports. We also find that the strategy of the PDC has a moderating role in the relationship between PIS and PSO, highlighting the need for tailored innovation strategies of the PDC.