Navigating Sustainable Shipping and Maritime Transport: Evidence from OECD Development Projects

Abstract

This study examines the thematic characteristics and policy priorities of sustainable shipping and maritime transport projects. Using project-level data from the OECD Creditor Reporting System (CRS), it analyzes 1,405 maritime transport projects implemented between 2010 and 2023 with an Environment Marker value of 1 or 2. To identify major themes and policy priorities, this study employs text mining, TF-IDF analysis, and keyword co-occurrence network analysis. The results show that sustainable maritime transport ODA has primarily focused on port infrastructure, maritime safety, capacity building, and transport connectivity. Keyword analysis identified port, infrastructure, safety, management, training, and shipping as the dominant concepts, while network analysis revealed five thematic clusters: port infrastructure development, maritime governance and capacity building, island connectivity, sustainable economic development, and environmental management. Temporal, recipient-country, and provider-level analyses further revealed growing emphasis on connectivity, institutional capacity building, environmental sustainability, and donor-specific comparative advantages. These findings suggest that maritime development cooperation is evolving beyond traditional infrastructure investment toward a broader framework emphasizing sustainability, resilience, and institutional strengthening. This study provides a systematic understanding of the thematic structure and policy priorities of sustainable maritime transport ODA and offers policy implications for donor governments, development agencies, and recipient countries.