Sustainable Marine Structures

Sustainability Risk Model for Shipping Business Management in Thailand

Kittisak Makkawan

Faculty of Logistics, Burapha University, Chonburi 20131, Thailand

Thanyaphat Muangpan

Faculty of Logistics, Burapha University, Chonburi 20131, Thailand

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/sms.v8i1.2891

Received: 4 November 2025 | Revised: 4 December 2025 | Accepted: 12 December 2025 | Published Online: 19 January 2026

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Abstract

The shipping industry is an essential business factor of global trade, supporting the cargo movement in maritime shipping that is driving the world's economy. Therefore, sustainability and risk management need to improve the critical business approach toward sustainable business. This research aims to develop a sustainability risk model for shipping business management in Thailand. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is applied to create this model using the PLS method. The relationship and model findings are the sustainability risk for shipping management, three factors including Environmental, Societal, and Technological factors, a total of 10 indicators of sustainability risk that need to improve in 10 years, and the relationship of factors and indicators to confirm the shipping business sustainability. This model presents guideline concepts for the operation and implication planning for developing the sustainable shipping business and international standards. To operationalize the proposed framework, the indicators were defined as observable risk items and evaluated through a questionnaire-based assessment of shipping practitioners and managers in Thailand. PLS-SEM was used to examine measurement quality (reliability and validity) and to test the hypothesised effects among Environmental, Societal, and Technological factors. The validated model helps identify high-priority sustainability risks and supports decision-making for mitigation, capability development, and monitoring over the next decade.

Keywords: Sustainability Development; Sustainability Risk Factors; Sustainability Risk Indicators; Shipping Business

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