The Intersection of Maritime Sustainability and Education Research: A Bibliometric Mapping of the Literature (2010-Present)

Against the backdrop of the maritime industry’s urgent sustainability transformation, this bibliometric analysis traces the intellectual structure of related research in maritime education, examining 159 publications from 2010 onward. The field emerges as an application-oriented domain, driven by the industry's demand for a workforce skilled in sustainability transitions. Curriculum reform is identified as the pivotal mechanism for translating regulatory and technological imperatives into structured learning. Thematic evolution shows a distinct progression: from establishing initial conceptual links, to integrating sustainability with IMO governance, and finally to addressing implementation barriers and emerging frontiers such as autonomous shipping. Social network analysis indicates concentrated knowledge production within specialized maritime institutions and strong regional collaboration clusters—a structure that effectively targets local challenges but may limit the capacity to address fully global systemic issues. Consequently, maritime education is being redefined as a fundamental enabler of sustainable transformation. The study identifies critical gaps, particularly in social sustainability and equitable transition, and proposes future research directions to connect macro-level trends with practical pedagogical execution, aiming to strengthen maritime education’s role as a catalyst for a sustainable maritime future.