Dry Port–Seaport System: A Systematic Review

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Authors: Saida Fellah, Charif Mabrouki
Cited by: 3
References: 71

Abstract

Dry ports are becoming increasingly important elements of port–hinterland transport systems, particularly as maritime gateways face rising congestion, infrastructure pressure, and coordination challenges within global supply chains. As international trade expands and logistics networks grow more complex, inland terminals are progressively evolving into integrated intermodal platforms that support more efficient freight distribution between seaports and their hinterlands. This study presents a PRISMA-based systematic review of research on dry port–seaport systems covering the period 1980–2025. Following a structured screening and selection procedure, peer-reviewed publications were identified and analyzed to examine conceptual developments, thematic orientations, geographical scope, and decision-making perspectives within the field. Particular attention is given to the growing relevance of digital transformation, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, in shaping future dry port operations and network design. By synthesizing existing contributions and identifying research gaps, this review provides a consolidated understanding of the evolution of dry port research and outlines key directions for advancing sustainable, resilient, and data-driven port–hinterland systems.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Maritime Ports and Logistics Maritime Transport Emissions and Efficiency Transport and Logistics Innovations

Publication details

Journal / source
Future Transportation
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
6
Issue
3
Pages
96–96
Publication date
27 April 2026
Language
EN