The supply and correct utilisation of energy is one of the most important issues influencing the economic progress of countries. Maritime transport also consumes part of the energy. Assessing its performance in terms of energy consumption and its environmental impact seems to be important. The Adriatic region plays a central role in maritime transport and container ports are important hubs in the global supply chain network. However, the energy consumption of these ports raises environmental issues and operational costs. To address this issue, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methods are used to assess the energy efficiency of the Adriatic container ports. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the energy efficiency of Adriatic container ports using improved DEA methods. This study considers various input and output parameters in terms of energy consumption, operational performance and environmental impact. By using improved DEA models, the relative efficiency of container ports is evaluated and the most efficient container ports are identified. These results provide valuable perspectives for decision-makers, port authorities and stakeholders to improve energy efficiency, promote sustainability and increase the overall performance of container ports in the Adriatic region.