Navigating the sustainability transition: port development in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Helal, Osayd, Haider, Jing ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5550-1342, Skeete, Jean-Paul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2404-2910 and Lim, Sehwa 2025. Navigating the sustainability transition: port development in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Presented at: LRN 2025 "Digital Transformation towards a Sustainable Future", Chengdu, China, 28-30 November 2025.

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Abstract

This study examines the challenges and opportunities shaping sustainable port development in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, using the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework to analyse transition dynamics. Based on 26 stakeholder interviews and secondary data, it explores how national visions and international environmental mandates interact with governance structures and niche innovations. Findings show that while both countries pursue sustainability through smart infrastructure and green technologies, the UAE demonstrates stronger institutional alignment and faster implementation. In contrast, Saudi Arabia follows a gradual path aligned with long-term development goals. MLP offers a valuable lens to understand the interplay between policy, innovation, and institutional change. The study provides practical recommendations for policymakers, including the need for regional coordination, regulatory harmonisation, and investment in scalable technologies. It contributes to global transport literature by applying MLP to an understudied region and highlighting port governance challenges in emerging economies.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Business (Including Economics)
Subjects:	V Naval Science > VM Naval architecture. Shipbuilding. Marine engineering
Last Modified:	16 Dec 2025 14:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/183259

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