Digital twin development towards integration into blue economy: A bibliometric analysis

Digital Twin (DT) technology plays a crucial role in the modernization and optimization of numerous industrial sectors. The blue economy encompasses established sectors such as marine energy systems, shipbuilding and operation, aquaculture and fisheries, and emerging areas including coastal protection and deep-sea mining. Many of these sectors are crucial for attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially pertaining to climate action and marine biodiversity. The integration of DT technologies within the blue economy can offer added value by enhancing operational efficiency, improving risk management, and fostering sustainable practices. This paper uses bibliometric research methods to provide a state-of-the-art overview of this research area. Insights are obtained through several bibliometric indicators, including publication trends, country-based distribution patterns of scholarly communications, and research impact through citation analysis. Keyword co-occurrence analysis is carried out to identify key research themes within the main blue economy sectors. This analysis will enable the research community to understand the key research themes, trends, major research hotspots, and influential works to provides a foundation for innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, benefiting researchers and industry actors. Additionally, it provides policy makers with evidence-based insights crucial for crafting informed policies that promote sustainable development within the blue economy. •A bibliometric analysis of Digital Twin integration within blue economy sectors is presented.•Advancements in Digital Twin technology across various blue economy sectors are emphasized.•Main research areas, emerging trends, key knowledge sources and stakeholders are identified.•Multiple directions for future research in this domain are discussed.