Digital transformation represents a pivotal trend in global economic integration. As a critical node in the modern logistics system, digital ports exhibit increasingly prominent operational risk characteristics spanning information security, cybersecurity, and supply chain management. These risks may lead to cargo loss, data breaches, and system failures, severely disrupting port operations and damaging corporate reputation. This study systematically examines the risk characteristics of digital port operations and proposes effective governance pathways. Under the digital economy, port operational risks demonstrate new features of complexity, interactivity, and synergy. This research classifies the operational risks of port enterprises into five categories: strategic, financial, market, operational, and legal risks, analyzing them from both macro (policies, economic environment, technological development) and micro (internal management, partnerships, market competition) perspectives. The study further identifies the leading role of competent government authorities in port risk supervision and proposes four governance pathways: establishing an integrated risk-control and compliance management system, strengthening accounts receivable risk prevention through digital management, enhancing cargo management through digital virtual-real coordination, and building blockchain-based risk governance capabilities. The findings provide valuable insights for constructing world-class ports and advancing China’s transportation power.

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