From Maritime Disruption to Firm-Level Resilience: Risk Transmission Mechanisms in Supply Chains

Abstract

Global production and trade are structurally dependent on maritime transport, while geopolitical conflict, extreme weather, port congestion, and restrictions at major chokepoints have increased uncertainty in transport services. Maritime route disruptions are initially reflected in rerouting, schedule revisions, changes in port calls, and higher transport costs. Their impacts enter firm-level supply chains when these transport changes create procurement fulfilment deviations that interfere with purchasing and production plans. This study applies integrative literature analysis and inductive reasoning to explain how risks are transmitted from the maritime network to firm operations. The analysis distinguishes between disruption that remains locally contained and disruption that develops into a wider ripple effect. It then examines resilience through four interrelated capabilities: visibility, redundancy, flexibility, and collaboration. The synthesis suggests that maritime disruption does not necessarily produce an interruption in production or delivery. Subsequent transmission depends on disruption duration, the concentration of suppliers and transport routes, inventory coverage, the feasibility of alternatives, and spare capacity in the external transport network. On this basis, the study develops a risk-oriented ABC classification, dependency mapping, supply chain digital twin, differentiated redundancy, and trigger-based coordination as managerial responses to maritime disruption.