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  • September 27th, 2025
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    Investments and financing challenges of the EU’s port managing bodies; findings from a comprehensive survey

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    Cruise industry in 2025 at a glance

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    The box that makes the world go around: container terminals and global trade

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Book Review: Towards a Better Ports IndustryCategory

Book Review: Towards a Better Ports Industry

May 28th, 2021 Category, Viewpoints

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Investments and financing challenges of the EU’s port managing bodies; findings from a comprehensive survey
Investments and financing challenges of the EU’s port managing bodies; findings from a comprehensive survey
Port reform: World Bank publishes the third edition of its port reform toolkit
Port reform: World Bank publishes the third edition of its port reform toolkit
Investments and financing challenges of the EU’s port managing bodies; findings from a comprehensive survey
Investments and financing challenges of the EU’s port managing bodies; findings from a comprehensive survey
Portgraphic: fleet capacity (owned/chartered) of container shipping lines
Portgraphic: fleet capacity (owned/chartered) of container shipping lines

Two reviews of Towards a Better Ports Industry, by PortEconomics co-director Peter de Langen

The book Towards a Better Ports Industry, written by PortEconomics co-director Peter de Langen was published last year. Recently, two reviews of the book, which is aimed at students and industry professionals, were published in academic journals focused on maritime and port research.  

Sheila Farrell from Imperial College London, wrote a review ((full article only accessible for subscribers, can be found: here), based on her lifelong experience as a consultant and academic. Her concluding statement reads: 

The book takes a ‘big picture’ approach to port planning, it includes many practical examples, and some helpful rules of thumb that can be adopted in situations where data are sparse. It is also full of surprising facts and stimulating ‘loose ends’ which encourage the reader to think further about many of the issues raised….. Well-structured, clearly written and eminently readable, it will be of great value to many port managers wrestling with the challenges of change management, whilst at the same time providing up-to-date information about the ports industry to anyone wishing to learn about how it operates today  – Sheila Farrell

A second review published in WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, written by Tiago Fonseca, from World Maritime University (Sweden). Tiago discusses the book’s arguments against regarding a port as a public good, and ends with some nice words as well:

Towards a Better Port Industry is an interesting and complete addition to the literature, which I believe will appeal to those new to the industry and experienced professionals alike (…). I certainly recommend the book to students, practitioners, academics, and anyone who wishes to understand the port industry better – Tiago Fonseca

As a special offer for PortEconomics readers, the paperback version of the book can be ordered with 20% discount (with the discount code for the book: TBP230) here.

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