Proceedings of ICLT 2013
Container shipping trends and their impact on port development and competitiveness
Wei Yim Yap; Yan Weng Tan
School of Economics, Singapore Management University, Singapore; School of Business, SIM University, Singapore
International Conference on Logistics & Transport 2013, Kyoto, Japan, pp. 107-114
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Abstract
Purpose: Container ports play a critical role by enabling seaborne trade to occur in a reliable, secure, cost efficient and environmentally sustainable manner. The competitive position of a container port is determined by its competitive offering to the host of shippers and shipping lines to which the port serves. This paper examines key trends and developments in the container port industry from the perspective of the market structure of a container port. Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses market structure analysis with case studies drawn from the development experience of the port of Singapore, which is the worldâs largest container transhipment hub and second busiest container port. Findings: The paper uncovers major trends that have impacted the nature of demand and supply in the container port industry. It analyses how container ports can capitalise on these developments to bring about port development and enhanced competitiveness to the benefit of their respective communities. Practical Implications: Container ports increasingly face the challenges of limitations to physical expansion while attempting to capitalise on growing demand and needs posed by larger container shipping lines. Case studies will be drawn from how these challenges can be addressed to ensure that the container port community continues to thrive and grow. Originality/Value: Port planners will be able to make use of the analyses on container port competitiveness and port development based on empirical evidences drawn from the industry.
Keywords
port competitiveness; container shipping; container ports; port of Singapore
Citation
Wei Yim Yap; Yan Weng Tan (2013). Container shipping trends and their impact on port development and competitiveness. Proceedings of the International Conference on Logistics & Transport (ICLT 2013), Kyoto, Japan, pp. 107-114.