prioritization of legal risks affecting maritime transport and trade contracts in the blue economy

This study aims to prioritize legal risks affecting maritime transport and trade contracts within the framework of the blue economy. using an applied and descriptive–analytical approach, key legal risks were identified through an extensive review of the literature and structured into a decision-making hierarchy. data were collected from 14 experts in maritime law, maritime transport, marine insurance, port management, and international maritime contracts using pairwise comparison questionnaires. the analytic hierarchy process (ahp) was employed to determine the relative importance and ranking of the identified risks. the results reveal that jurisdictional conflicts and uncertainty regarding the applicable law represent the most critical legal risk, followed by geopolitical risks, sanctions, force majeure conditions, and uncertainty in carrier liability. fragmentation of international maritime regulations and legal risks related to digital contracts also rank highly, highlighting emerging challenges associated with regulatory inconsistency and digital transformation. the findings provide a structured basis for improving contractual design, legal risk management, and policy formulation, thereby enhancing legal certainty, reducing transaction costs, and supporting the sustainable development of maritime trade in the blue economy.