Call for Engagement

The AMLRN Annual Symposium 2026: Sustainable Maritime Supply Chain Opportunities in the Presence of Growing Protectionism

Context

In an era marked by intensifying geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, and economic nationalism, the maritime supply chain is navigating a period of profound transformation. At the same time, the urgency of the climate crisis and the global push for net-zero emissions have placed sustainability at the forefront of supply chain strategy. This dual pressure presents both significant challenges and unprecedented opportunities for innovation.

This symposium explores the intersection of protectionism and sustainability in the maritime logistics sector. While protectionist policies can disrupt global supply flows, reroute trade lanes, and increase regulatory complexity, they also serve as catalysts for regional resilience, green shipping corridors, and sustainable procurement strategies.

The symposium will delve into how maritime logistics companies e.g. shipping lines, ports, etc. and policymakers can leverage this shifting landscape to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon technologies, digital transparency, and circular logistics practices. By bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers, this event will foster a critical dialogue on redefining competitiveness in a protectionist world, not through isolation, but through strategic, sustainable transformation.

It is in this context that the AMLRN Annual Symposium 2026 will be an excellent opportunity for AMLRN members and other prospective participants to get together and exchange practical experience, research results, ideas, commentary and feedback in various forms of engagement, like paper presentation, case study presentation, panel discussion, etc. Topics include, among others, the following:

Resilient and reconfigured maritime logistics in global supply chains,
Sustainable maritime logistics in global supply chains,
AI for decision-making and sustainable innovation in maritime industries
Maritime logistics in a time of geopolitical uncertainties,
Impact of Protectionism on the Adoption of Industry 5.0 in maritime supply chains
Maritime cybersecurity,
Automation in port and shipping,
Digital transformation in the maritime industry (i.e. maritime single window, port community systems, etc.),
Emission accounting and reporting,
Human-centric maritime logistics design,
Human factors and future of work in the maritime industry,
Circular economy in ports,
Decarbonisation of the maritime industry,
National strategic fleet,
Other related topics.

We would like to call for participation from AMLRN academic and industry members and your affiliates in the AMLRN Annual Symposium 2026 with the theme of Sustainable Maritime Supply Chain Opportunities in the Presence of Growing Protectionism. The Symposium will be held using the hybrid mode on Monday, 30 November 2026, and proudly hosted by the Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovations (rCITI), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney.

Important dates

· Submission of extended abstract (approx 2,000 words, 4 pages): 31 July 2026

· Notification of acceptance: 7 Sep 2026

· Deadline for registration for presenters: 28 Sep 2026

· Deadline for registration for audience: 26 Oct 2026

· Submission of PPT slides: 25 Nov 2026

· Symposium date: 30 Nov 2026

· Submission of extended paper to Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain (CLSCN): 31 Dec 2026

Submission: Please submit your extended abstracts via this link.

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Contact: For any enquiries, please send an email to rciti@unsw.edu.au, or the AMLRN Annual Symposium 2026 Chair.

Symposium Chair

Dr. Elnaz Irannezhad, Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovations (rCITI), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney. e.irannezhad@unsw.edu.au

Symposium Organising Committee

Prof. Vinh Thai, School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain, RMIT University: vinh.thai@rmit.edu.au
Prof. Frank Neumann, School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Adelaide University: frank.neumann@adelaide.edu.au
Dr. Aneta Neumann, School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Adelaide University: aneta.neumann@adelaide.edu.au
Assoc. Prof. Peggy Shu-Ling Chen, Australian Maritime College/University of Tasmania: pchen@utas.edu.au
Prof. Michael Bell, Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies/University of Sydney Business School: michael.bell@sydney.edu.au
Assoc. Prof. Yong Wu, Department of Management, Griffith University: yong.wu@griffith.edu.au
Assoc. Prof. Sean Arisian, La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University: s.asian@latrobe.edu.au
Prof. Kannan Govindan, Centre for Sustainable Operations and Resilient Supply Chains (CSORSC), Adelaide University: kannan.govindan@adelaide.edu.au
Assoc. Prof. Devika Kannan, Centre for Sustainable Operations and Resilient Supply Chains (CSORSC), Adelaide University: devika.kannan@adelaide.edu.au
Prof. Hadi Ghaderi, Department of Management and Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology: hghaderi@swin.edu.au
Assoc. Prof. Paul Bergey, University of Western Australia: paul.bergey@uwa.edu.au
Assoc. Prof. Richard Oloruntuba, Curtin University: richard.oloruntoba@curtin.edu.au
Assoc. Prof. Ferry Jie, Edith Cowan University: f.jie@ecu.edu.au

Symposium Student Committee:

Maryam Safarnezhad, Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovations (rCITI), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney. maryam.safarnezhad@unsw.edu.au
Annisa, Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovations (rCITI), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney. annisa@unsw.edu.au
Fatemeh Hirbod, Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovations (rCITI), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney. f.hirbod@unsw.edu.au
Randy Franstiarajah, Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovations (rCITI), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney. r.franstiarajah@unsw.edu.au

AMLRN Secretariat:

Dr. Thuy Nguyen, School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain: thuy.nguyen21@rmit.edu.au
Dr. Aswini Yadlapalli, School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain: aswini.yadlapalli@rmit.edu.au
Dr. Priyabrata Chowdhury, School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain: priyabrata.chowdhury@rmit.edu.au

Contact the host of AMLRN Annual Symposium 2026