ABSTRACT
Innovative digital technologies have transformed the maritime transport industry by digitizing its processes and moving it away from traditional practices. Today, many ships navigate using these advanced technologies. This study focuses on identifying the key components of digital technologies that contribute to the success of Iran's maritime transport sector. The primary objectives are to enhance decision-making, optimize resources, and reduce environmental impacts. Using a qualitative content analysis approach with an inductive method, this applied research collected data through semi-structured interviews with 27 maritime transport experts in Iran, selected through purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. 65 articles were reviewed. Ultimately, a framework was developed to identify the components of digital technologies supporting the success of Iran's maritime transport industry. The findings highlighted three main dimensions: digital business, digital technologies, and digital governance and management. Identified categories include the Fifth Industrial Revolution, smart maritime transport, port-ship connectivity, smart ports, electronic navigation, and digital culture. This research emphasizes maximizing the impact of digital technologies in Iran's maritime transport sector.

1. INTRODUCTION
Digital transformation is a critical phenomenon in modern business environments, impacting various industries, including maritime transport (Tumbas et al., 2018). The integration of digital technologies such as IoT, Blockchain, AI, and Cloud Computing is revolutionizing traditional practices, improving operational efficiency, and creating new business models. In the maritime sector, digitalization has the potential to enhance logistics, reduce costs, and foster innovation (Chávez et al., 2024; Kozlov et al., 2021). While significant research has been conducted on digital technologies in general, limited attention has been paid to their application in maritime transport, particularly in Iran. In Iran, the maritime transport industry, as one of the most critical economic sectors, plays a fundamental role in foreign trade and meeting national needs. However, this industry faces several challenges. Some of these challenges include traditional infrastructure, lack of sufficient investment in new technologies, and lack of coordinated policies for digital needs. However, this industry faces several challenges. Some of these challenges include traditional infrastructure, lack of sufficient investment in new technologies, and lack of coordinated policies for digital transformation. Strategic Iranian ports such as Shahid Rajaee Port and Imam
Khomeini Port, which are the main gateways to the country's foreign trade, are facing increasing competition from advanced regional ports. In such circumstances, failure to adapt to digital transformation can lead to reduced competitiveness and economic opportunities. Existing research in the field of Iranian maritime transport has often focused on operational issues such as reducing ship dwell times or improving customs processes, and has paid less attention to the strategic aspects of digital transformation (Jović et al., 2024; Bailey, 2022; Tijan et al., 2021).
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing expert interviews and document analysis to identify the critical components of digital technologies influencing the success of maritime transport in Iran. The study framework involves three main dimensions: Digital Business Models, Digital Technologies, and Digital Governance and Management. Data were collected from experts in the maritime transport industry, and the findings were analyzed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how digital technologies contribute to improving the industry’s efficiency and competitiveness. The methodology follows a systematic approach to ensure the reliability and validity of the results.
3. RESULTS
The study identifies three primary dimensions contributing to the success of maritime transport in Iran: Digital Business Models, Digital Technologies, and Digital Governance and Management. Among the key digital technologies identified, Blockchain, IoT, AI, and Big Data were found to have the most significant impact on improving operational efficiency and reducing costs. For instance, Blockchain facilitates the digitization of processes like customs clearance and documentation, while IoT and AI optimize ship performance and enable autonomous navigation. Additionally, the research highlights the role of digital governance in effectively managing and integrating these technologies into the industry. The integration of digital technologies in maritime transport is recognized as having high potential to meet the needs of customers and stakeholders. Competitors leveraging these technologies aim to enter the global market more cheaply and quickly. This integration in maritime logistics leads to the development of digital and sustainable processes and enhances the efficiency of shipping companies and port stakeholders in economic, environmental, and social terms. This trend also helps to increase stakeholder participation and improve safety in shipping (D’Amico et al., 2021).
4. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
This study underscores the importance of digital transformation in enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of Iran’s maritime transport sector. The integration of digital technologies like Blockchain, IoT, and AI is crucial for streamlining operations, reducing costs, and improving safety. Furthermore, effective digital governance frameworks are necessary to manage these technologies and ensure their successful implementation. The study also emphasizes the need for further research into the regulatory and legal aspects of digital transformation in the maritime sector. Future research should explore the integration of digital technologies within the context of global trends and regulations, as well as the development of robust strategies for the implementation of digital transformation in the maritime industry.

REFERENCES
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