Thematic Area
Thematic Area
Thematic Area
Effects of distance on the network topology of the global container shipping network
Like many communication systems, maritime networks are embedded in space. But the effects of spatial properties on the network itself have not been deeply examined in previous research. Gravitational properties affect international trade, as well as container shipping flows in general, as distance represents spatial friction to exchange; yet the ability of the network and of specific nodes and links to operating at different geographic ranges of connectivity remains unknown. The latest port study of PortEconomic member Cesar Ducruet...
Thematic Area
Carriers investments in container terminals destined to alter calls schedule
Carriers announcements that they have acquired stakes in container terminal operations in North Europe, bring to the attention a port study that clearly demonstrates in a quantitative manner that ports have a much higher chance of receiving vessel calls of an alliance when one or more alliance members are having a terminal stake in the port. Big news from German ports in the last weeks. The first changes were noted in Hamburg as Cosco has undertaken a strategic investment to receive a 35% minority share in the Tollerort terminal operated...
Thematic Area
Visibility and verifiability in port governance transparency
Transparency remains an under-analyzed topic in port research, and previous research has shown that port decision-making and governance reporting are inconsistent across countries. While transparency might be imposed through legislation or voluntarily adopted, effective transparency also includes (a) an organization’s willingness to consistently communicate and make transparent information available to internal or external stakeholders and (b) the stakeholder`s expectations on the visibility and verifiability of information. Ιn...
Thematic Area
Productive arrangements in container logistics
PortEconomics co-director Peter de Langen wrote a policy report to help shape port policies in Brazil. The report ‘Productive Arrangements in Container Logistics: Policy Challenges for Granting Terminal Concessions’, was commissioned by the leading Brazilian terminal operator BTP, and written, in full independence, by Peter de Langen. The two central issues that are addressed are first, how to deal with shipping line owned container terminal operators and second, how to prevent dominant market positions of terminal operators or, if this...
Thematic Area
Visibility in Canadian port governance transparency: stakeholders expectations
Transparency remains a remarkably under-analyzed notion in port studies internationally, and Canada is no exception. Over the last three decades, many governments globally have reformed port governance from central government management to more autonomous ports but their practices do not necessarily reflect 21st-century public expectations for transparency. In this phase of their research, PortEconomics members Mary Brooks, Geraldine Knatz, Thanos Pallis and Gordon Wilmsmeier extend their earlier study (see the technical report:...
Thematic Area
Automation in container port systems and management
Terminal automation is a full or partial substitution of terminal operations through automated equipment and processes. Depending on how automation is defined, it is already present in many terminals, at least in its simplest form using information technologies (ITs) to manage terminal assets and supplement human activity. Automation processes often result in two major types of automated terminals. A fully automated terminal uses a computer–IT-led system to handle a container from dockside to the pickup area through remotely...
Thematic Area
National Integrated Maritime Policies: vision formulation, regional embeddedness
Integrated maritime policies (IMPs) provide a comprehensive governance framework to support the sustainable use of the seas and oceans while ensuring a horizon of prosperity for the population of the surrounding coastal regions. PortEconomics co-director Theo Notteboom along with Hubert Paridaens (Antwerp Maritime Academy), developed a study, published in the academic journal Sustainability, on how IMP governance can be arranged to support more effective policy integration. The authors identify and discuss a number of key strategic and...
Thematic Area
Revolutionisation of how ports operate
By Giovanni Prati, CNN How this technology could shake up logistics at major ports Dubai (CNN) In Dubai's Jebel Ali port, a new technology is being tested that aims to speed up, improve and automate the way shipping containers are stored, moved and shipped. Typically, at major ports, shipping containers awaiting transport are simply piled up on top of each other six or seven high, waiting to be moved onto ships by cranes. As well as taking up a huge amount of space, this approach means locating and picking up the right box can be...
Thematic Area