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Investments and financing challenges of the EU’s port managing bodies; findings from a comprehensive survey
The ‘port managing body (PMB)’ plays a central role in the development of the port. Public funding for investment projects of the port managing bodies is common in the EU as well as most other countries. PortEconomics member Peter de Langen's latest portstudy adds to the body of knowledge on port investments and financing challenges with an analysis of data from two surveys that were carried in 2018 and 2023. His analysis yields the following conclusions. First, the PMBs in the EU have shifted their investments, in response...
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Port reform: World Bank publishes the third edition of its port reform toolkit
The World Bank published the third edition of the Port Reform Toolkit - highlighting, among others the transformation of ports in recent years and the emerging issues to address. The enhanced Port Reform Toolkit 3.0 begins by analysing global trends and their impact on ports. Module 2 introduces concepts of change management. Then, in eight substantive modules, we explore port governance, privatisation, regulation, finance, and labour arrangements, followed by new modules that are now at the core of future-proofing ports:...
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Evaluating customer satisfaction with clearing and forwarding agents: Kuwait Shuwaikh Port
PortEconomics member Theo Notteboom and Ahmed Alsalfiti (University of Antwerp and Antwerp Management School, Belgium) investigated the influence of service quality on customer satisfaction with clearing and forwarding C&F agents using the SERVQUAL model and their portstudy has been published in the Scientific Journal of Maritime Research. C&F agents play a crucial role in facilitating the clearance and delivery of goods for businesses, and their service quality is heavily dependent on port operations. The authors' research...
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Digital technologies for efficient and resilient sea-land logistics
PortEconomics member Francesco Parola, during the annual conference of the International Association of Maritime Economists, held 25-27 June 2025, in Bergen, Norway, delivered a presentation on “Digital Technologies for Efficient and Resilient Sea-Land Logistics: IT-Based Decision Support Systems to Manage Highway Capacity of Major Gateway Ports”. Francesco examines the crucial role of road transport in port competitiveness and emphasises the necessity for improved coordination between maritime and inland logistics....
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Stakeholders’ attitudes toward container terminal automation
Do you want to understand better why fewer than 80 container terminals are automated? PortEconomics members Theo Notteboom, Thanos Pallis & Geraldine Knatz examine stakeholders' attitudes toward container terminal automation, aiming to place terminal automation as an innovation trajectory in the broader context of stakeholder relations management. More specifically, their port study: Position terminal automation as an innovation trajectory within the broader context of stakeholder relations...
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The World Ports Tracker in TOC Europe
PortEconomics member Theo Notteboom, joined TOC Worldwide'’s #TOCEurope conference in Rotterdam and the plennary session on the container market trade outlook, with an intervention explaining results of the World Ports Tracker on #resilience and ports sentiments on container shipping growth prospects His presentation focused on key market-related findings of the World Ports Tracker report of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH), which Theo Notteboom and Thanos...
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In a tight spot: American ports in global supply chains
PortEconomics member Jean-Paul Rodrigue delivered a testimony in front of the Joint Economic Committee of the Congress of the United States, in Washington, DC. The hearing was on "Barriers to Supply Chain Modernisation and Factor Productivity Enhancements". Jean-Paul's contribution focused on the main barriers that North American ports, particularly container ports, are facing. He suggested a greater autonomy for port authorities with expanded governance. Many are landlords who may be required to act more as entrepreneurs.The full...
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