Explore the top 12 supply chain management books for maritime professionals, students, and logistics leaders. Discover essential knowledge to master operations, risk, sustainability, and global trade.
Why Supply Chain Management Matters in Modern Maritime Operations
In today’s interconnected world, the global economy quite literally floats on supply chains—and at the heart of these chains lies the maritime industry. From containerized goods crossing the Pacific to reefer cargo sailing through the Suez, seaborne logistics remain the backbone of world trade. According to UNCTAD (2024), over 80% of global trade by volume is transported by sea.
But the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Disruptions—from port congestion and vessel delays to cyberattacks and geopolitical instability—can ripple across markets in hours. This became painfully clear during the Ever Given incident in the Suez Canal, which cost global trade an estimated $9.6 billion per day (Lloyd’s List Intelligence, 2021).
To navigate this complexity, professionals in the maritime and logistics sectors need more than just nautical knowledge—they need to understand the language and logic of modern supply chains. The following 12 books provide not only academic depth but also practical insights and real-world case studies that can help shape resilient, efficient, and sustainable maritime supply networks.
The Supply Chain Revolution
Author: Suman Sarkar
Publisher: AMACOM
Published: 2017
This book kicks off our list with a powerful message: supply chains are not just operational tools—they are competitive advantages. Sarkar outlines how forward-thinking companies like Apple and Amazon leverage supply chain design to outperform rivals.
Maritime Takeaway
Ideal for shipowners, logistics coordinators, and freight forwarders seeking to align supply chain strategy with business agility in volatile shipping environments.
📘 Best for: Maritime business managers and logistics planners.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Author: Martin Christopher
Publisher: Pearson Education
Edition: 6th (2022)
This classic textbook remains a core reference in maritime MBA programs and global trade logistics courses. Christopher combines strategic models with operational insights in a language accessible to non-native English speakers.
Real-World Use
He addresses just-in-time shipping, inventory buffering, and demand forecasting—concepts central to container shipping, Ro-Ro, and LNG logistics.
📘 Best for: Maritime students, port managers, fleet logistics officers.
The Resilient Supply Chain
Author: Tobias Schoenherr & Christopher W. Craighead
Publisher: Springer
Published: 2023
Written in response to COVID-era shocks and the Russia-Ukraine crisis, this academic-yet-accessible title tackles supply chain risk management with a focus on resilience frameworks.
Maritime Focus
Features port shutdown scenarios, risk mitigation in transoceanic trade, and data from Clarksons Research and DNV supply chain assessments.
📘 Best for: Maritime policy analysts, risk consultants, procurement professionals.
Supply Chain Management for Dummies
Authors: Daniel Stanton
Publisher: Wiley
Edition: 3rd (2023)
Don’t be fooled by the title—this book is practical, well-structured, and up-to-date. Stanton explains concepts like supply chain digitization, blockchain, and green logistics in easy-to-grasp language.
Value for Maritime Learners
Great for seafarers transitioning to shore-based roles or port workers aiming to upskill into supply chain coordination or terminal operations.
📘 Best for: Beginners, transition professionals, international students.
Designing and Managing the Supply Chain
Authors: David Simchi-Levi, Edith Simchi-Levi, Philip Kaminsky
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Edition: 4th (2021)
Combining quantitative models and global case studies, this book addresses facility location, inventory control, and transportation strategies—including intermodal shipping.
Maritime Engineering Tie-In
Useful for dry bulk fleet managers and chartering agents working with multi-port scheduling, modal optimization, and port throughput analysis.
📘 Best for: Port engineers, maritime analysts, shipping executives.
The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon
Author: Brad Stone
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Published: 2013
A narrative biography rather than a technical manual, but this title offers incredible insight into how Amazon transformed the concept of supply chain orchestration.
Maritime Relevance
Amazon’s demand for just-in-time ocean freight, port automation, and last-mile efficiency has reshaped port operations globally, influencing terminals from Singapore to Rotterdam.
📘 Best for: Maritime innovation leaders, shipping executives, strategy consultants.
The New (Ab)Normal
Author: Yossi Sheffi
Publisher: MIT Press
Published: 2020
Sheffi, a renowned MIT professor, explores how the pandemic tested supply chains—and how companies are adapting through resilience, automation, and decentralization.
Maritime Case Examples
Includes breakdowns of port lockdowns, crew change crises, and supply-demand mismatches in global container flow.
📘 Best for: Crisis planners, fleet managers, academic researchers.
Green Logistics: Improving the Environmental Sustainability of Logistics
Editors: Alan McKinnon, Michael Browne, Anthony Whiteing
Publisher: Kogan Page
Edition: 3rd (2021)
This book focuses on reducing the environmental impact of freight transport, warehousing, and packaging.
Marine Sustainability Relevance
Features chapters on slow steaming, IMO GHG strategy, and port emissions, aligning closely with initiatives from ESPO, IMO, and BIMCO.
📘 Best for: Environmental officers, shipping regulators, sustainability leads.
Global Supply Chain Ecosystems
Author: Mark Millar
Publisher: Kogan Page
Published: 2015
Millar presents the big picture of interconnected global logistics—from sourcing in Asia to distribution in the Americas.
Port-Centric View
Highlights how transshipment hubs, feeder services, and customs procedures shape trade flows—a must-read for port authority planners and customs brokers.
📘 Best for: Supply chain strategists, port development officers.
Blockchain and the Supply Chain
Author: Nick Vyas, Aljosja Beije, Bhaskar Krishnamachari
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Published: 2022
This book tackles one of the most rapidly emerging trends in supply chain transparency and security: blockchain technology.
Maritime Integration
Covers real cases like Maersk and IBM’s TradeLens platform, customs digitization, and smart bills of lading, all relevant to port authorities and shipping lines.
📘 Best for: Maritime IT officers, logistics technology students.
Port Management and Operations
Author: Patrick Alderton
Publisher: Routledge
Edition: 4th (2020)
Though focused on ports, this book blends operations and supply chain logistics exceptionally well. Covers port economics, hinterland connections, and digitalization.
Bridge Between Sea and Land
Essential for those managing the intersection of ship arrivals, container yards, and inland logistics systems.
📘 Best for: Terminal operators, port executives, intermodal planners.
Freight Transport and Logistics
Author: David Lowe
Publisher: Kogan Page
Edition: 8th (2023)
An accessible overview of all forms of transport, including sea, air, road, and rail. Perfect for logistics professionals who want a multi-modal perspective.
Maritime Crossover
Explains how sea freight integrates with inland distribution and what maritime professionals need to know about supply chain connectivity.
📘 Best for: Fleet coordinators, logistics network designers, shipping line planners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should maritime professionals understand supply chain management?
Because shipping is the central node in most global supply chains. Understanding upstream and downstream logistics helps optimize scheduling, fuel use, vessel utilization, and customer satisfaction.
Is supply chain management only for logistics companies?
No. Port authorities, shipping lines, naval architects, and even marine insurers benefit from SCM knowledge. Supply chains influence port infrastructure, vessel design, and risk exposure.
What’s the role of digital technology in supply chains today?
Huge. From digital twin port models (DNV, 2023) to smart containers with IoT, technology enhances tracking, forecasting, and efficiency across the maritime supply chain.
Which book is best for beginners?
Supply Chain Management for Dummies by Daniel Stanton is great for newcomers. It balances simple language with practical tips.
Are these books suitable for international readers?
Yes. Most titles use global examples and are written in accessible English, often used in maritime academies and logistics MBA programs around the world.
Do these books cover maritime regulations?
Some, like Green Logistics and Port Management and Operations, reference IMO, ESPO, and other maritime frameworks affecting trade and compliance.
Conclusion: Reading Beyond the Horizon
Supply chain management is no longer a side function—it is the core operating system of global trade. For maritime professionals, students, and leaders who want to stay competitive, reading beyond tides and tonnage is no longer optional—it’s essential.
These 12 books are your gateway to understanding how goods flow, risks are managed, emissions are reduced, and strategies are transformed from port to port and end to end.
👉 Call to Action:
Choose one title that matches your career path. Whether you’re a deck officer turning to logistics or a port executive navigating digitization, these books can be your compass.
References
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UNCTAD. (2024). Review of Maritime Transport. https://unctad.org
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Lloyd’s List Intelligence. (2021). Ever Given Impact Analysis.
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Clarksons Research. (2023). Global Maritime Intelligence Report.
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DNV. (2023). Digital Transformation in Maritime Supply Chains. https://www.dnv.com
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ESPO. (2022). Sustainability and Port Performance. https://www.espo.be
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MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics. (2024). Supply Chain Research Insights. https://ctl.mit.edu
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Springer. (2023). Supply Chain Risk Management Studies. https://link.springer.com