The development of electronics, telecommunications, and computing during the 20th century is one of the fastest and most transformative revolutions in human history. Compared to the successive revolutions in society’s progress since prehistoric history, it creates a new paradigm of progress that continues to be difficult to assimilate. The times between scientific findings, their realization in products or services, and their understanding by society, are becoming shorter and more demanding. Understanding how innovation, not only technological but also global, translates into a real transformation of society, its processes and how people approach it, requires the coordination of all social actors to achieve equitable and sustainable economic and social progress.

This article contextualizes and explores the keys to the relationship between innovation – understood as a complex process –, transformation – which is now digital –, and the transfer of knowledge necessary for the former to really become a transformative element of society.

This paper deals with the analysis of the consequences and risks that the Maritime EU ETS proposal would entail at an environmental, economic, and operational level in European ports. First, the analysis is focused on European ports neighbouring non-EU regions with a significant border component, as different rules prevail. And second, it also focuses on the consequences of a possible relocation of port activities on restructuring transport and supply chains in the EU.