evaluation of port development and maritime transport policies with legal, economic, and environmental considerations in the blue economy

This study evaluates port development and maritime transport policies within the framework of the blue economy by jointly considering legal, economic, and environmental dimensions. using expert judgment from iran and applying the analytic network process (anp), the research captures interdependencies and feedback effects among policy criteria. the results indicate that legal–governance factors hold the highest priority, with national legal frameworks and public–private partnership mechanisms emerging as the most influential drivers of effective policy implementation. economic instruments aimed at investment attraction and risk reduction rank next, highlighting their role in translating strategies into operational outcomes. environmental considerations, particularly emissions control and pollution reduction, also receive high priority, reflecting the growing importance of sustainability and decarbonization in port development. overall, the findings emphasize that successful port and maritime transport development in a blue economy context requires an integrated and balanced policy approach, in which legal certainty, economic viability, and environmental responsibility reinforce one another to support sustainable and resilient port systems.