Submission Guidelines

Article Length

The main body of the article (excluding abstract, references, and figures/tables) should not exceed 5,000 words. Extensions are permitted in special cases upon consultation with the editorial office.

Formatting Requirements

Title Page

• Article Title: Concise, informative, and reflective of the article’s core content. 
• Author Names: Ensure accurate spelling of all names and clearly designate the Corresponding Author responsible for communication during refereeing, publication, and post-publication. 
• Institutional Affiliations: Include affiliation addresses and email addresses below author names. 
• Abstract: A concise and factual summary not exceeding 250 words, outlining the research background, methods, results, and conclusions. 
• Keywords: Provide 5–8 keywords below the abstract to aid discoverability. 
• Author Contributions: Detail each author’s role (e.g., conceptualization, data analysis, writing). 
• Conflict of Interest: Include a statement declaring any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest. If none, state: “The authors declare no conflicts of interest.” 
• Acknowledgments: Recognize contributions from non-authors (e.g., funding agencies, collaborators).

Manuscript Format

Submit manuscripts as Microsoft Word documents, using Times New Roman (English) or Songti (Chinese), 12-point font, and 1.5 line spacing. Number all pages and include line numbers for ease of review. Figures and tables must be submitted as separate high-resolution files (e.g., TIFF, JPEG, or EPS for figures; Word or Excel for tables) with captions in the main manuscript. For bilingual submissions, provide abstracts in both English and Chinese, with the English abstract mandatory. 

Reference Format

References can follow any consistent style at submission, with APA or AMA recommended, and DOIs encouraged. Upon acceptance, the journal’s reference style will be applied at the proof stage. 

Data and Supplementary Materials

Authors are encouraged to submit supplementary materials (e.g., datasets, code, or additional figures) to support reproducibility and transparency. These should be uploaded as separate files during submission and will be published online alongside the article, if accepted. Authors must ensure datasets comply with ethical standards (e.g., anonymization of personal data) and are deposited in recognized repositories with DOIs or links provided in the manuscript.

Language 

Submissions are accepted in Chinese or English. English manuscripts must be polished by a professional team to ensure quality, and Chinese manuscripts should be clear and professional.

Submission Information

Submission Method 

Submit manuscripts as Microsoft Word attachments to the WORLD MARITIME Editorial Office via email: worldmaritime@wmmhk.com or visit website: www.worldmaritimejournal.com > For Authors > Submit Manuscript. For inquiries about submission suitability or process, contact the editorial office at the same email. 

Originality and Citation Standards

Submitted articles must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere during the review process. Authors are responsible for ensuring proper attribution of all referenced material, including text, data, figures, and tables, following the journal’s recommended citation styles (APA or AMA). Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited, and all submissions will be screened using plagiarism detection software. Non-compliance may result in rejection or retraction of the article. 

Copyright and Licensing

Upon acceptance, authors will be required to sign a copyright transfer agreement or a license to publish, granting WORLD MARITIME the right to publish and distribute the article in print and digital formats. Authors retain the right to reuse their work for non-commercial purposes and deposit in institutional repositories, subject to journal policies.

Peer Review Process

All submissions undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure quality and impartiality. Manuscripts are evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with expertise in the relevant field. Authors can expect an initial decision within 6–8 weeks from submission. Revisions, if required, must be returned within 4 weeks. 

Publication Fees and Funding

Authors should indicate whether their submission is intended for open-access publication, which may incur an Article Processing Charge (APC). Authors must disclose all funding sources supporting the research in a dedicated “Funding” section within the manuscript. Failure to disclose funding may delay publication. 

Submission Deadlines

WORLD MARITIME accepts submissions on a rolling basis. 

Post-Publication Policies

WORLD MARITIME is committed to maintaining the integrity of the published record. Corrections or errata will be published for significant errors, and retractions may be issued for serious ethical violations (e.g., plagiarism or data fabrication). Authors are encouraged to share their published articles via personal websites, social media, or repositories, in accordance with the journal’s copyright policies. 

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