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The UK Freeports initiative
The UK, after claiming that the EU had been holding back the development of UK’s ports, launched a UK Freeports initiative as a major instrument to shape the UK’s economic development post-Brexit by Peter de Langen Up to 10 Freeports are foreseen. These Freeports are to be privately developed in rail, air and seaports -probably mainly the seaports- and to be selected through a competitive bidding process. The UK has launched a public consultation to develop its freeport policy. The Freeport (or freezone) model works well in a variety...
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A crisis like no other: the adaptive capacities of ports & shipping
The main implications of the pandemic on global logistics with a specific focus on container ports and shipping lines is the theme of a joint contribution by Theo Notteboom, Thanos Pallis and Jean-Paul Rodrigue in the 100th issue of Port Technology International. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the second global crisis since the 2009 financial crisis, which resulted in a recession in all OECD countries and most emerging economies. It fundamentally challenged the direction of future trade flows and trade arrangements. The stability...
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The Analyst: HHLA and Eurogate cooperation
By Peter de Langen The news from end of May 2020 that HHLA (Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG) and Eurogate are holding discussions on cooperating in the container segment in northern Germany, may well mark a turning point in the German Hanseatic port development tradition, comments Peter de Langen. HHLA is the market leader in Hamburg, active internationally and in the hinterland and is listed on the stock market, but majority owned by the city state of Hamburg. Eurogate operates terminals in Bremerhaven, JadeWeserPort and Hamburg as well...
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Public purchase of Imperial questioned
By Peter de Langen The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to lead to increased state involvement in the transport industry; for airlines it has already begun, writes Peter de Langen. Such state involvement is always complicated, as demonstrated by the Ryanair complaint that governments bailing out flag carriers amounts to state aid. Against this background is the news that the regional state-owned inland port company of Cologne will purchase the main European activities of Imperial logistics (the sale price is a little over €175 million, the...
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PortGraphic: top-15 cruise ports in the Med reveal a booming industry in challenge (video)
PortStatistics of 2019 reveal the successful adaptation and growth of Med ports before the arrival of the pandemic. Article by Thanos Pallis, Aimilia Papachristou & George Vaggelas While cruise shipping and ports around the globe reassessing their future in the ‘new’ normal, PortEconomics is presenting you the top-15 ports in the Mediterranean Sea for the past year, 2019 as well as the trends comparing to 2018 and the evolution of cruise passenger movement since the beginning of the 2010s. PortStatistics of 2019 reveals the...
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The Analyst: ownership of port operators
The move of DP World's parent company (Port and Free Zone World) to purchase shares traded on Nasdaq Dubai and delist the company is highly interesting, writes Peter de Langen, with his views first published in his Analyst column at @ Port Strategy. The ownership of Port Operators by Peter de Langen "The move of DP World's parent company (Port and Free Zone World) to purchase shares traded on Nasdaq Dubai and delist the company is highly interesting, If, as expected, the offer is accepted, DP World will be 100% owned by Port and Free Zone...
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It will cruise through the perfect storm, again. Βe ready.
With COVID-19 turning port lives upside down, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has launched a weekly briefing of its membership throughout Europe on the latest developments – inviting PortEconomics members that have contributed to the life of the association to provide thoughts and reactions. In this week’s edition of “ESPO keeps going” Thanos Pallis writes on the return of cruising - providing six grounds that cruise "will cruise this storm again". It will cruise through the perfect storm, again. Be ready. by...
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Coronavirus impacts on trade and supply chains
Which are the impacts of Coronavirus on trade and supply chains? PortEconomics member Jean-Paul Rodrigue analyzed them in a (remote) presentation to the advisory board of METRANS Transportation Center. Follow the link to download the presentation.
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