<p>This study examines stakeholders' attitudes toward container terminal automation, aiming to place terminal automation as an innovation trajectory in the broader context of stakeholder relations management. Detailing first how the stakeholder environment plays a crucial role in shaping the path toward adopting innovation, the analysis focuses on key stakeholders, including governments, port management entities, dockworkers, local communities, ocean carriers, and supply chain actors, such as logistics service providers. Employing a survey-based approach, the descriptive statistical results capture these attitudes as perceived by terminal operators who have implemented automation. Furthermore, statistical analysis techniques are used to investigate the potential relationships between the factors driving automation and stakeholder views, the shifting of stakeholder attitudes over time, and their regional variations. The findings show that terminal operators view port authorities, ocean carriers, and the government as their primary supporters for automated operations, although this is not a priori the case. Dockworkers express the greatest opposition, particularly in Europe and the U.S., where dockworker unions are well organized and have a stronger voice in the debate over automation than in Pacific Asia. Communities are positive when automation is conceived as a way to address externalities associated with terminal operations. The research provides valuable insights into the challenges and strategies for fostering innovation in port operations. Furthermore, this study positions terminal automation as an innovation pathway within the broader framework of stakeholder relationship management, offering a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics that shape its adoption.</p>