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Geographic diversification of international terminal operators
In the last twenty years, International Terminal Operators (ITOs) have performed horizontal growth strategies to keep pace with global and regional demand expansion as well as to diversify corporate risk across various geographic regions. In this perspective, the paper aims to investigate the ITOS’ strategic behaviours when implementing their internationalisation processes, by giving a particular emphasis to the geographic diversification strategy, intended as the geographic dispersion of business activities out of their country of...
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Port integrity commitments and corruption risks in different shipping markets
Maritime transportation is a highly complex global activity which, given the volume and the nature of processes and transactions involved, is immensely exposed to corruption risks. The growth of maritime trade and the development of maritime transport systems are multiplying these problems, with international organisations developing initiatives to address them. One of the challenges for the shipping industry is the corruption-related incidents that occur during the approach and mooring of ships in ports. This is also true across the...
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Maritime container terminal infrastructure, network corporatization, and global terminal operators
Maritime shipping lines and global terminal operators have benefited from economies of scale to expand geographically and functionally their infrastructure, leading to a corporatized network. Terminal operators are key asset managers seeking value creation by expanding the global maritime container terminal infrastructure network. While corporatization has systematically ensured that terminal capacity was created to accommodate the rise in global trade volumes, the network hit its boundaries when confronted with COVID-19...
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Container terminal automation: revealing distinctive terminal characteristics and operating parameters
The portstudy of PortEconomics members Theo Notteboom and Thanos Pallis, and Geraldine Knatz focuses on the automation of terminal equipment used to handle containers. A dataset was compiled, including 63 fully and semi-automated container terminals worldwide, their organizational features, technical dimensions, and the maritime and urban markets they serve. The data analysis focuses on where, when, under which conditions, and to what extent container terminals were automated, and who is responsible for implementing terminal...
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Modal shift ambitions of large North European ports: on the role of port managing bodies
Port managing bodies (PMBs) need to respond to increased societal pressures for improving environmental performance. For many PMBs, a modal shift (MS) from road to rail and barge transport (where available) represents a strategic priority. Yet, in practice, few PMBs have set clear MS targets or have been able to achieve their MS objectives at the level of the port cluster. In this context, the extant port management literature has not yet provided actionable and generally applicable conceptual guidance for PMBs towards achieving ambitious...
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First survey-based IAPH World Ports Tracker report to improve resilience
The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) has produced the first dashboard and report for its World Ports Tracker - prepared by PortEconomics co-directors Theo Notteboom and Thanos Pallis. The World Port Tracker sources data from ninety-six ports from eight regions of the world, producing first dashboard and report for members This is the first report of its kind, aiming to track critical aspects in the global port industry based on cargo and shipping trends at a time when the global supply chain is facing...
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How do sustainable port practices influence local communities’ perceptions of ports?
The symbiotic relationship between ports and cities in spatial, social, and cultural terms is fundamental in tackling new transport, urban, and environmental challenges. A positive perception of port clusters within local communities is increasingly becoming a source of competitive advantage for the further development of port clusters and regions. The latest research by PortEconomics member Michael Dooms, along with J. Augusto Felício (Lisbon School of Economics & Management, Lisbon, Portugal), Manuela Batista and Vítor...
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Implications of COVID 19 on the US container port distribution system: import cargo routing by Walmart and Nike
The purpose of the latest portstudy of PortEconomics members Theo Notteboom and Pierre Cariou is to discuss the implications of COVID-19 on container import flows via the US port distribution system. The authors employ statistics collected for more than 21 US ports and for more than 550 000 container shipments by Walmart and Nike to identify trends and potential shifts in the US port distribution system. Results unveil different changes in distribution channels during the pandemic era, between aggregated port level and industry level....
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