Viewpoints
Viewpoints
Viewpoints
Coal handling at the port of Thessaloniki
By George Vaggelas PortEconomics member George Vaggelas contributes to the latest issue of Dry Cargo International magazine (February 2015) with an article presenting the business of coal handling at the Port of Thessaloniki (Greece). Coal is one of the major dry bulk cargoes in the global trade. The port of Thessaloniki is the major dry bulk port in Greece and one of the biggest in the Southern Balkan area. Coal handling plays a significant role for the port's total throughput. Currently, the port of Thessaloniki is investing in the...
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Keeping it cool: challenges for the containerised reefer trade
Refrigerated containers, also known as reefers, account for a growing share of the refrigerated cargo being transported around the world. In 1980, 33% of the refrigerated transport capacity in maritime shipping was containerised, this share rapidly climbed to 72% in 2013. Because of the additional insulation, and particularly because of the power plant, a 40-foot reefer costs in the range of 6 times more than a regular container. A cold chain industry has emerged to service containerised reefer trade. So, how can we "keep it cool"? What are...
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The Analyst: port of Hong-Kong 2030-compliments and comments
The development plan for Hong Kong Port, released December 2014, makes interesting reading for port planners and developers. PortEconomics co-director Peter de Langen, provides compliments to all stakeholders involved in the preparation of the plan, and provides commentary on its content. Peter's viewpoint is available via his column as "the Analyst" PortStrategy: Compliments and Comments...
Viewpoints
Greek port policy 2015: six questions demand answers
By Thanos Pallis With Greek ports being part of a major reform programme, key policy-decisions lay ahead. PortEconomics co-director Thanos Pallis details the six most vital questions of all, through his view point that published in the latest issue of the major Greek maritime magazine Naftika Chronika - arguing that the requested answers will not only frame the Greek port policy during 2015, but will also decide the future of the Greek port system for many years to come. You may freely download Thanos' viewpoint (in Greek) @...
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The Analyst: why port managers should visit their colleagues in nearby ports?
Various potential mergers between neighbouring port authorities have recently been in the news and the experiences of the newly-paired ports have in virtually all cases been positive. Peter de Langen, co-director of PortEconomics, discusses the issue in his viewpoint - published in his Port Strategy. The 'Analyst' discusses the various potential mergers between neighbouring port authorities that have recently been in the news and the experiences of the newly-paired ports that have in virtually all cases been positive. Peter concludes...
Viewpoints
European port policy: with an eye to 2030
By George Vaggelas Following a first attempt (in 2007) to communicate the intentions of European Union on a European port policy, the European Commission moved forward, unveiling the main parts of a new European port policy up to 2030. After a long time of inertia regarding port industry issues, the European Union has been active the last 15 years towards the formation of a framework regarding port operational and policy issues. Back in 1997 European Union, in its first attempt to develop a regulatory framework for the port industry,...
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The Analyst: investing in innovation stimulation
"What drives the competitiveness of ports? Is it sufficient draft to accommodate ever larger vessels, productivity, high quality hinterland infrastructure or well-functioning port community systems, asks Peter de Langen, co-director of PortEconomics in his viewpoint- published in his Port Strategy column as 'The Analyst'. Peter discusses how the different elements make up an innovation ecosystem, including an entrepreneurial culture, the availability of venture capital, education institutions, incubators and regulation that encourages...
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The Caribbean: one port geography, many markets, different expectations
To be able to understand the current and future challenges in container port capacity in the Caribbean, it is essential to take into account the geographical setting of the region as a ‘conglomerate’ of countries in a discontinuous geography, where any port development strategy will be challenged by regional competitors. Furthermore the position of the Caribbean within the global container shipping network is influenced by two contrasting situations: its immediacy to main global shipping routes and its embeddedness to serve the...
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