In conditions of intensified port competition and increased complexity of relations developed between port actors, PortEconomics members Thomas Vitsounis and Thanos Pallis discuss the presence of port value chains and the role of port actors' interdependencies in a chapter included in the edited volume Maritime Logistics: Contemporary Issues, that is now published by Emerald Group publishing.

Thomas and Thanos examine the rather under-researched issue of the value creation for port users. Relations developed in seaports fall within business-to-business (B-2-B) frameworks and caused by the interdependencies of port actors. Value measurements are a predictor of behaviour intentions of satisfaction generated for port users. Value in B-2-B markets place extra emphasis on relations developed between services providers and users and the same stands true for seaport configurations.

The study analyses how actors in seaports are embedded in network configurations and develop B-2-B relations that result in functional and relational value. The emphasis is on port value chains wherein positioning and effective networking contribute significant to the total value proposition of the various actors involved. Concluding that co-creation of value, via matching resources with upstream and downstream entities, is vital, the chapter details how actors inter- dependence as a significant variable determining the level of co-creating value. The empirical analysis provides insights about the existence of three types of inter-dependencies in ports (namely, serial, pooled and reciprocal) being found in a number of distinctive relationships developed between freight forwarders, shipping lines and key port actors.

Maritime Logistics: Contemporary issues is a collective book edited by Prof. Dong-Wook Song (Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh) and Prof. Photis Panayides (Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus). Contemporary practice and scientific innovation consider the logistics aspects of shipping or maritime and seaport operations as one of the most important areas for future development of competitive advantages in business and for study and research. This book adopts the innovative approach of dealing with the overlap between shipping, ports and logistics covering the current issues having a significant impact on the industry. It brings together leading authorities in the field to consider for the first time maritime logistics, and in doing so it defines the area, registers its boundaries and contributes to its development. Contributions cover holistically a broad range of major topics at the forefront of practice, research and scholarship in the shipping and port industry in terms of its relevance to logistics management. Topics include: CSR aspects of maritime logistics; green, sustainable and environmental issues in maritime logistics; network development of shipping and ports as major players in the industry; security aspects of maritime logistics and supply chains; IT in maritime logistics; and, supply chain oriented port and its performance.

You might read the authors' version of Thomas and Thanos contribution @ PortEconomics:  Creating Value in Seaports: Port Value Chains and the Role of Interdependencies

More about the book @ the publisher's webpage: Maritime Logistics: Contemporary Issues

A study on  Market Concentration in Coastal Shipping and Limitations to island's accessibility, co-authored by PortEconomics member Thomas Vitsounis and Ass. Prof. Maria Lekakou (STT-Uni of the Aegean, Gr) is published in the latest issue of the scholarly journal Research in Transportation Business & Management. 

The paper tests two research hypotheses of great relevance for port users, service providers, and policy-makers in the case of a major coastal market in Europe (i.e. Greece). The first one is the extent that the coastal shipping market under question has emerged as a more concentrated one during the recent port-liberalization era. Second, whether the accessibility of linked islands is reduced due to high levels of coastal companies concentration and/or becaue the absence of any monitoring process.

A fruitful meeting on the implemention of the Port Performance Indicators: Selection and Measurement (PPRISM) project between PortEconomics members acting as academic partners, the European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO), and the European Commission took place in Brussels last week.

With the European Commission co-funded PPRISM project delivering a much interesting approach, the partners set down the foundations for establishing further actions that would benefit all those involved in the port sector.

Port authorities and port community stakeholders take pride in the important contribution seaports deliver to European trade and welfare. But is anyone outside the industry aware of this? And what does the port sector really know itself about its overall performance, apart from the number of tonnes and passengers handled?

As the PPRISM project coming closer to its completion this will change. At the end of 2011 the project will deliver a Port Sector Performance Dashboard capable to measure performance trends in the European port sector.   As such, PPRISM is not looking at the performance of individual ports and terminals, but focuses mainly on the performance of the port system as a whole. During the past year European port authorities together with business and societal stakeholders engaged in an extensive assessment of potential indicators. This has resulted in a shortlist of fourteen indicators tested through a EU-wide pilot test for the actual feasibility of the selected indicators and for data collection at European level. 58 Port authorities replied to a user-friendly form with data requirements for the selected indicators.

The members of the PortEconomics team involved along with ESPO intend to take the create a culture of performance measurement and reporting in the sector which today is far from being general practice.

More about PPRISM and soon the conclusions and recommendation @ the PPRISM webpage.

A personal message from ESPO Secretary General Patrick Verhoeven on PPRISM can be seen @ ESPO YouTube channel.

Dr. Thomas Vitsounis delivers an invited lecture on  Key Performance Indicators and Balanced Scorecard in Ports during the Masport Seminar that was held in Valencia, November 10th-11th 2011. Thomas presented the output of mainstream research on Balanced port performance measurement with the emphasis being on port users' perceived value.

Moreover, Thomas had the opportunity to present the recent output of the "Port Performance Indicators: Selection and Measurement" project to a vibrant and of top quality audience.

The MASPORT Project is in itself a proposal of Strategic Research whose mission is achieving a significant leap in knowledge and application of methodologies automation and simulation, facilitating the resolution of the bottlenecks –sea side and shore side- and improving the capacity of container port terminals (TPCs), their performance and service level.
The strategy unfolds in achieving five objectives:

1. identifying the bottlenecks of the PCT as a nodal system within the frame of the port logistics chain,
2. analysing the feasibility of introducing technological innovations (automation) and management innovations.
3. measuring performance, capacity and service levels offered by the PCT,
4. customizing the Balanced Scorecard tool for the PCT and,
5. developing an appropriate simulation model.

The project involves a set of tools, integrated and dynamic (Measurement system, Balanced Scorecard and simulation model), allowing its use, both in solving the bottlenecks associated with the holding daily the PCT’s, as in the testing of technological innovations (automation) in the medium term.

Find more for the Masport Project here.

The member of the PortEconomics.eu team Dr. Thomas Vitsounis gave a series of lectures during the "Workshop on Ports as Engines of Economic Development and Strategic Management of Port Areas" organised by the European Commission (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument-TAIEX) in Belgrade, 26 and 27 September 2011.

During the first lecture, Thomas provided an economic and legal analysis of the factors determining the competitiveness of ports and continued with an overview of port performance practises. His final lecture during the workshop tackled issues on the relation between performance and hinterland connections.

The Associate Member of the PortEconomics.eu initiative, Dr. Cesar Ducruet also actively participated in the workshop presenting his latest research output, along with a number of distinguished participants such as: Mr. Saša Jovanović, Ms. Isabelle Ryckbost (EFIP), Mr Roland Hörner, (Managing Director of the Port of Mannheim, Germany), Ms Marcella de Martino (Institute for Service Industry Research, Italy), Mr Álvaro Rodriguez (Planning and Development Director, Puertos del Estado, Spain), Dr. Alberto Camarero Orive (Director of the Civil Transport Engineering Department, Madrid).

All the presentations can be downloaded from the following link.

PortEconomics members presented several new studies at the European Conference on Shipping, Intermodalism and Ports - ECONSHIP 2011. The Conference was the first PortEconomics endorsed event, an was held in Chios Greece (22-24 June).

The papers presented by the PortEconomics team were:

• Chen L. & Notteboom T. (2011). Determinants for assigning value-added logistics services to logistics centers within a supply chain configuration.  Download
• Feng L. & Notteboom T. (2011). Small and medium sized ports (SMPs) in multi-port gateway regions: the role of Yingkou Port in the logistics system of the Bohai sea.  Download
• Kaselimi E.N. & Notteboom T. (2011). "Preferred" scale of containers terminals in seaports: A size distribution analysis.  Download
• Lekakou M.B., Pallis A.A. Vaggelas G.K. and Vitsounis T.K. (2011). Users speak: coastal Shipping Services and islanders perceptions.  Download
• Li J and Theo Notteboom T. (2011). The evolutionary path of inland waterway transport in Pearl river Delta china: The role of governance and institutions.  Download
• Ng A.K.Y., Padilha F. and Pallis A.A. (2011). Institutions, regional and transport development in developing economies: Lessons from Brazilian dry ports.  Download
• Notteboom T. and Rodrigue J-P. (2011). Global container terminal operators: from diversification to rationalization?  Download
• Notteboom T. and Cariou P. (2011). Bunker costs in container liner shipping: Are slow steaming prac- tices reflected in maritime fuel surcharges?  Download
• Pallis A.A. and Bissias I. & Papachristou A.A. (2011). She goes maritime: Women in marine and maritime education in Greece.  Download
• Rodrigue J-P. and Notteboom T. (2011). Looking inside the box: evidence from the containerization of commodities and the cold chain.  Download
• Verbraeken D. & Notteboom T. (2011) Land productivity of seaport ter- minals: the role of exogenous factors.  Download
• Van den Berg R. and de Langen P.W. (2011). Towards' inland terminal to inland terminal' as a new value proposition in container transport?  Download
• Vitsounis T.K. and Pallis A.A. (2011). Measuring port users perceived value.  Download
• Vitsounis T.K. and Pallis A.A. (2011). Rethinking port actors.
• Wang S. & Notteboom T. (2011). Fleet distribution in the LnG shipping market: A comparative study with container and dry bulk markets.  Download

The PortEconomics SummerCourse was completed with participants and instructors sharing their enthusiasm for the event. Updates on developments in the field and state-of-the art research, interesting discussions and networking dominated four productive days on the theme of "Advances in Port Management: Theory and Practice".

Instructors included Thanos Pallis (University of the Aegean, Greece), Peter de Langen (University of Eindhoven/Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands), Theo Notteboom (ITMMA-University of Antwerp, Belgium), Mary Pierre Cariou (Euromed Management, France), Brooks (Dalhousie University, Canada), Jean-Paul Rodrigue (Hofstra University, USA), Adolf Ng (Hong-Kong Polytechnic University) and Thomas Vitsounis (University of the Aegean, Greece).

The first PortEconomics SummerCourse concluded with the wrap-up session by George Vaggelas (Advisor to the President and CEO of Port of Thessaloniki), Michalis Sarlis (Advisor to the Hellenic Champer of Shipping) and Patrick Verhoeven, (Secretary General, European Sea Ports Organisation - ESPO).

The PortEconomics team would like to thank all those that trusted our initiative and participated in the inaugural event. With evaluation reports being most promising, we promise to keep contact with the most promising young generation of academics and practitioners by developing further our activities.

The PortEconomics SummerCourse diary

Day 4: Production Factors (Capital, Labour, and Land) were the theme that dominated the final day of the PortEconomics SummerCourse, with Thanos Pallis and Theo Notteboom presenting an update of market developments. In the following session, participants were updated on Port Governance and Devolution by Mary Brooks. The first PortEconomics SummerCourse concluded with presentations by representatives of port authorities the users of the ports, and the European Sea Ports Organisation that concluded the SummerCourse. Participants enjoyed the farewell drink at the gardens of "Maria Tsakos Foundation" Centre for Maritime Research and Tradition. For most participants, this was also the welcome drink to the PortEconomics sponsored European Conference on Shipping, Intermodalism and Ports - ECONSHIP 2011.

Day 3: In the beginning of the executive course, Theo Notteboom and Jean-Paul Rodrigue presented to participants the latest "Developments in Shipping Markets as well as in Terminals and ITO Strategies". The sessions were followed by an informative discussion on "Ports and Supply Chains" by Peter De Langen, and presentation on "Port Performance Measurement in Practice" by Pierre Cariou and Thomas Vitsounis. In the final session of the day, participants of the SummerCourse had the opportunity to receive an update of the latest developments in port of North America, Asia, and Europe by Mary Brooks, Adolf Ng and Thanos Pallis respectively. The day ended with participants joining the PortEconomics dinner at the picturesque village of Thimiana.

Day 2: Lively discussions during the "PhD Breakfast and Brunch Session" marked the second day of the PortEconomics SummerCourse. Drs Chen, Gang (University of Southern Denmark), Vaggelis Kounoupas (University of Piraeus), Spyros Niavis (University of Thessaly), Kourounioti, Ioanna (University of the Aegean) and the PortEconomics member Papachristou Aimilia (University of the Aegean) presented the progress of their PhD research and discussed in a lively discussion themes, methodologies, research and publication potentials with other participants. The afternoon session included a relaxing trip to the villages and beaches of the famous Mastichohoria of Chios island, in a networking and "battery recharging" excursion. Participants return to the class tomorrow in a unique gathering including instructors from North America, Asia and Europe: These are: Theo Notteboom, Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Pierre Cariou, Mary Brooks, Adolf Ng, Peter De Langen, Thomas Vitsounis and Thanos Pallis.

Day 1: The inaugural PortEconomics SummerCourse on "Advances in Port Management: Theory and Practice" commenced on Saturday 18 June in Chios, Greece . The first day concentrated on the latest developments in port research, with Peter de Langen, Thanos Pallis and Thomas Vitsounis discussing the prospects and challenges for port research, as well as they ways that one might take advantage of the PortSudies database. They were joined by George Vaggelas (Port of Thessaloniki) who discussed the expectations of Port Authorities from the academia.The event will continue its works at the Korai Library in Chios, Greece, on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 June. 

The full program The Full Program (final version)  is available @ PortEconomics.

---

April 2011: ENPOS members Thanos Pallis, George Vaggelas and Thomas Vitsounis presented their views  on “Integrating Seaports in Combined Transport Systems" at the International Intermodal Freight Transport Open Conference "Green Development and Combined Transport". The Conference was organised in Athens, Greece on April 1, 2001, and George Vaggelas, who acted as the presenter, exchanged views on the key issues that need to be considered so as to achieve the target to efficiently and effectively integrate ports in combined transport chains.

The presentation is available and can be downloaded @ PortEconomics.eu   [Download]

The study Port Economics, Policy and Management – Content Classification and Survey co-authored by A. Pallis, T. Vitsounis, P. De Langen and T. Notteboom, is published in the latest issue of the scholarly journal Transport Reviews (Volume 30, Issue 4, 2011, pp. 445-471).

This study presents a taxonomy and content analysis of research in port economics, policy and management (‘port studies’) that were published the period 1997-2008. There is a growing interest in the study of ports, yet the research characteristics and directions of this research field are unidentified. This study provides a unique systematic analysis of port studies published the period 1997‐2008. Based on a cross‐citation analysis and content survey, seven themes of port studies are identified The content of each theme is analysed by focusing on research topics, widely used research questions, concepts and research methods, and the most important research findings. Finally, it identifies emerging research questions that still need to be answered.

The authors' version of the work is posted by permission of Taylor & Francis for personal use @ PortEconomics [Download] - The definete version of the study is available @ Journal's webpage

---

The pair study:
Pallis A.A., Vitsounis, T.K. and de Langen, P.W. (2010), Port economics, policy and management: Review of an emerging research field, published in an earlier issue of Transport Reviews, 30(1) 115-161, is also available @ PortEconomics [Download] and provides a complete bibliometric analysis and further information on research methodologies. 
In pair these studies provide a complete and detailed analysis of port related published research during the period 1997‐2008 and the foundations of the PortStudies Database that is freely available to visitors of the PortEconomics initiative.

The Database:
The PortStudies Database is updated at the end of each month - visit it regulalrly for the latest publications in Port Economics, Management and Policy.

---