Sustainable solutions for small/medium ports a guide to efficient and effective planningSustainable solutions for small/medium ports a guide to efficient and effective planning Ανασκόπηση Review 2025-05-022023enPorts are under increased pressure to reduce their negative climate and environmental impacts. Their roles and functions in transportation systems and the economy make them a key industry in promoting sustainability. In particular, small- and medium-sized ports (SMSPs) should serve as lighthouses or flagships of environmental and digital transformation, allowing access to remote locations and integrating peripheral regions. Their sustainability planning faces significant challenges in this context, such as limited resources, access to technical expertise, and stakeholder involvement. Sustainable planning strives for long-term viability, while balancing economic, social, and environmental goals. Ports can ensure that they are cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and capable of satisfying local people’s and companies’ long-term demands by applying sustainable planning methods. This research aims to assist stakeholders in designing and implementing activities that will optimize the sustainability of SMSPs, promote the sustainable development of the neighboring communities, and encourage the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Journal of Marine Science and Engineering119Argyriou_et_al_J. Mar. Sci. Eng._11(9)_2023.pdfChania [Greece]Library of TUC2025-05-02application/pdf1.4 MBfree Argyriou Ioannis Αργυριου Ιωαννης Tsoutsos Theocharis Τσουτσος Θεοχαρης MDPI Small/medium ports Sustainable port planning Stakeholders’ participation Energy efficiency Environmental pollution