Many technological innovations are currently considered as key turnaround points for a variety of industrial sectors, among which the port and shipping industries. For instance, artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to guarantee improved forecasts, increased capability for real-time system optimisations, and a potential tool for real-time monitoring and promptly intervene in case of need. Some of the most recent digital technologies applied to ports (e.g. blockchain [and 5G) have all turned from being potential breakthroughs to be good ideas that still need to create a substantial impact on the port market. On the one hand, barriers to innovation in the port industry have been recognised in the past. On the other hand, the need for port operators to adapt to logistics and market changes (i.e. vertical and horizontal integration of main shipping companies) has created a potentially novel situation that could impact on the willingness and perceived value of innovating of different port stakeholders. Based on an intensive literature review, this chapter investigates and presents how innovations have been studied in the maritime and port sectors and barriers that innovators could face in the deployment phases. The results from this literature review show a strict link between the innovation ecosystem, the competitive arena, and the adoption path of different technologies.