Thematic Area
Thematic Area
Thematic Area
PortGraphic: top 15 EU container ports in H1 2024
PortEconomics member Theo Notteboom compiled a table showing the year-on-year TEU growth in the top 15 EU container ports in H1 2024: While 2023 was characterized by a strong to moderate traffic decline in most ports, the first half of 2024 brought double-digit growth in 7 of the top 15 ports. The effects of the Red Sea crisis and the associated shipping network modifications are traceable in the West Med and the Atlantic coast, with Sines, Barcelona, and Valencia all recording robust growth. Gioia Tauro's growth accelerated in...
Thematic Area
Investment in European ports, challenges and opportunities from a circular economy perspective
by Peter W. de Langen In line with their “Memorandum for the European Elections”, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) recently published the “Port Investment Study 2024”, as an update of the ESPO 2018 study. This study shows that the changing and wider role of ports, comes with new and wider responsibilities and investment needs. Dr. Peter de Langen assisted ESPO with the survey, analyzed the responses, and co-authored the final report. Circular Flanders asked Dr. Peter de Langen to also reflect on the investments of...
Thematic Area
The socioeconomic impact of cruise activities: Heraklion, Greece
With cruise activities storming to new record levels, ports and destinations are reorganising their services and upgrading their infrastructures to sustainably host cruise calls and passengers. A critical part of this process is understanding the actual impact of cruise activities on a destination. In a recent study, PortEconomics members Thanos Pallis and George Vaggelas explored the socioeconomic impact of cruise activities in Heraklion, the major port (and city) on the island of Crete in Greece. The cruise port of Heraklion hosts...
Thematic Area
Renewable energy options for seaport cargo terminals with application to mega port Singapore
In the sphere of port sustainability, renewable energy options present a transformative potential for cargo terminal operations, particularly in mega ports like Singapore. In a recent study by Wei Yim Yap and PortEconomics co-director Theo Notteboom, titled "Renewable Energy Options for Seaport Cargo Terminals: Application to Mega Port Singapore," examines the feasibility and benefits of four renewable energy sources—underground thermal, solar, wind, and marine wave energy—in the context of seaport operations. The findings reveal...
Thematic Area
Port economics, management and policy studies (2009–2020): a bibliometric analysis
By Athanasios A. Pallis, Paraskevi Kladaki and Theo Notteboom The latest publication, "Port Economics, Management and Policy studies (2009–2020): a bibliometric analysis", authored by PortEconomics co-founders Athanasios A. Pallis and Theo Notteboom, along with member Paraskevi Kladaki, explores the evolution of port studies over the past decade. Analyzing 1227 academic journal papers from 2009 to 2020, the paper uses quantitative and qualitative bibliometric tools to explore the structures and themes within...
Thematic Area
A case for ‘energy management services’ by the port development company?
By PortEconomics member and Port Strategy Analyst, Peter de Langen In April 2024, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) launched the results of a study on the investment pipeline and investment challenges of European ports. The report concludes that PMBs in the EU have an investment pipeline of about 80 billion in the next 10 years and yields a couple of interesting additional insights that merit some more reflection. The central one in this contribution is the potential role of the PDC (port development company) in...
Thematic Area
European ports investment needs for the next 10 years
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has just unveiled the results of the much-anticipated ESPO Port Investment Study 2024 at its annual Conference in Paris. This groundbreaking study offers a deep dive into the investment landscape and challenges faced by European ports, shedding light on their evolving roles and pressing needs. Prepared by PortEconomics member Dr. Peter de Langen in collaboration with ESPO, the study presents a comprehensive analysis based on the input of 84 port managing bodies across Europe. It reveals a...
Thematic Area
Accessibility or connectivity: why is it correct to say that in the Caribbean the main logistics problem is connectivity?
By Ricardo J Sanchez & Alejandra Gomez Paz Co-director, Kühne Professorial Chair in Logistics, School of Management, Universidad de los Andes, Colombia Member of the Kühne Professorial Chair in Logistics, School of Management, Universidad de los Andes, Colombia Acknowledgments: special thanks to Christoph Schaar for his contributions. The difference between accessibility and connectivity is often seen as a "merely" theoretical question posed from an "academic" point of view as if...
Thematic Area