Ranking measures to improve the sustainability of Mediterranean ports based on multicriteria decision analysis: a case study of Souda port, Chania, CreteRanking measures to improve the sustainability of Mediterranean ports based on multicriteria decision analysis: a case study of Souda port, Chania, Crete Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2022-10-112022enThe depletion of natural resources and the increase in the complexity of environmental, economic, and development topics have led to ongoing international interest in modifying the current policies on climate change mitigation. Port administrators have started integrating environmental agendas into their daily management strategies, creating new port development challenges. The complexity of energy and environmental systems, in conjunction with the severe consequences of anthropogenic actions globally, renders it necessary to employ decision-making strategies developed with models that integrate various criteria and functionally contain all stakeholder considerations. These criteria include optimising the use of available resources, minimising environmental impacts, reducing overall costs, enhancing operational safety, and meeting energy needs. Through the implementation of multicriteria analysis, this study identifies and discusses the social acceptance variables of involved stakeholders for a Cretan port as an example for other ports and develops a theoretical model aiming to identify and prioritise appropriate technological and nontechnological solutions based on the priorities of the involved parties. The answers from 50 respondents, covering a wide variety of port operations, were examined and reviewed using multicriteria analysis. The results indicated that environmental pollution was the highest priority (average weight 9.1), followed by staff/infrastructure security (average weight 8.6) and energy consumption (average weight 8.3). Taking into consideration implementation costs and time, the use of smart grids (Phi = 0.221), as well as training employees (Phi = 0.22), received the highest score.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Environment, Development and Sustainability2456449–6466 Argyriou Ioannis Αργυριου Ιωαννης Sifakis Nikolaos Σηφακης Νικολαος Tsoutsos Theocharis Τσουτσος Θεοχαρης Springer Sustainable port Multicriteria analysis ’Stakeholder’ management Optimisation