Digital Transformation of Maritime Document Management in Smart Ports: Impacts on Ship-to-Ship Performance and Sustainability in Muara Berau Anchorage

Abstract

The increasing complexity of global maritime logistics has intensified the need for efficient and integrated administrative systems, particularly in ship-to-ship (STS) operations conducted in anchorage areas. This study aims to examine the effect of digital transformation in maritime document management, based on a smart port system, on the performance and sustainability of STS activities, while also testing the mediating role of operational performance. A quantitative explanatory approach was employed using survey data collected from key stakeholders involved in STS operations, including port operators, shipping companies, ship agents, and maritime authorities. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate both direct and indirect relationships among variables. The findings reveal that digital transformation has a strong and significant effect on STS performance, which in turn significantly enhances the sustainability of STS activities. Additionally, digital transformation directly contributes to sustainability, indicating both direct and mediated pathways. The mediation analysis confirms that STS performance partially mediates the relationship between digital transformation and sustainability, highlighting performance as a key mechanism through which digital initiatives generate long-term value. These results demonstrate that the digitization of maritime document management improves administrative efficiency, strengthens coordination, and enhances operational reliability, ultimately supporting sustainable maritime operations. In conclusion, digital transformation, when effectively integrated into operational practices, serves as a strategic driver of both performance improvement and sustainability in STS activities within the smart port ecosystem.