Polaris Journal of Maritime Research is an international, peer-reviewed academic journal published annually by the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) under the auspices of Bahria University. Dedicated to advancing scholarly inquiry into maritime studies, Polaris provides a multidisciplinary platform for original research that explores the broad dimensions of maritime affairs including geopolitics, maritime security, ports and logistics, ocean governance, fisheries and aquaculture, role of AI and IT in maritime sector, environmental issues, maritime law, and economic developments at sea. With an ISSN registered in both print and online formats, the journal aims to enrich maritime scholarship by bringing together rigorous analyses, empirical studies, and theoretical perspectives from researchers, policymakers, and practitioners around the world. Polaris fosters academic excellence by encouraging contributions that illuminate contemporary maritime challenges and opportunities, thus supporting informed decision-making and strategic discourse in the global maritime community. Polaris Journal of Maritime Research is officially recognized in the Y category by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan under its HEC Journal Recognition System (HJRS). This status affirms that the journal meets HEC’s criteria for national research journals, reflecting essential scholarly standards in peer review, publication ethics, and academic quality required by the Commission’s current policy framework.