Overall, while still in its early growth and expansion period, it is expected that the field will continue to grow in a number
of directions as practitioners and governments face challenges that research can help solve. An important insight from our
observations is that the gap between naval architects and researchers from other clusters within the context of port and maritime
logistics needs to be bridged in the interests of a better mutual understanding of the relationship between ship design
and construction on one hand and ports and maritime logistics on the other. Naval architects have taken a detailed interest
in the relationship between the design of the hull and engine, emissions and energy efficiency. Those in the wider port and
maritime logistics fields should be more cognisant of this work. Similarly, naval architects should perhaps engage more in
broader maritime issues. This could be underpinned by research and we see this as a fertile direction for future research