Port choice in Brazil: a qualitative research related to in-depth interviews

Abstract

The choice of port is one of the topics that most interest researchers. Port selection behaviour may vary depending on port user perspectives. Prior studies have attempted to determine user preferences for certain port choice factors, but there are only few studies in developing countries, such as Brazil, where there is a lack of studies on this topic. The objectives of this article are to analyse the port selection factors in Brazil for different port users, to discuss the implications for competitiveness among ports and to assist port service providers to formulate strategies. Identifying factors will help port service providers to develop strategies in the Brazilian market. The paper explores the case of the Southeast region port market in Brazil, based on data from the port sector and in-depth interviews with a representative selection of port users and specialists in the port sector. The results suggest that Brazilian Port Administrations need to adopt strategies aimed at increasing connections with the interior of Brazil, but they also need to adopt a highly market-based approach, communicating and synchronizing strategies with different public and private stakeholders.

A longitudinal study of seaport selection: the perspective of container shipping companies

“…(2020) collected quantitative data from a survey on the competitiveness of container ports perceived by global shipping lines. de Souza et al. (2021) investigated selection factors in Brazil for different port users and revealed that ship calls were the most important, while the concentration of cargo was essential for shipping lines.…”

“…However, despite the substantial body of literature, sufficient attention has not been given to the effects of COVID-19 on selecting seaports. Seaport selection is an area that requires more attention because it is critical for policymakers, port operators and shipping companies (Bhatti and Hanjra, 2019;de Souza et al, 2021;Hsu et al, 2020;Tiwari et al, 2003). Therefore, it is necessary to find recent changes in seaport selection factors during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Kaliszewski et al (2020) collected quantitative data from a survey on the competitiveness of container ports perceived by global shipping lines. de Souza et al (2021) investigated selection factors in Brazil for different port users and revealed that ship calls were the most important, while the concentration of cargo was essential for shipping lines. Fahim et al (2022) examined port performance evaluation and selection in the future shipping environment of the physical Internet and found differences in intelligent agents' perspectives with the increased importance of the level of service, network interconnectivity and information systems.…”

“…, 2018; Onwuegbuchunam, 2013; Lirn et al. , 2004; De Langen, 2007; Zarei, 2015; Wang and Yeo, 2019; de Souza et al. , 2021; Baştuğ et al.…”

“…Moreover, although there have been various studies on port selection factors, most have been cross-sectional (Chang et al, 2008;Wiegmans et al, 2008;Kavirathna et al, 2018;Onwuegbuchunam, 2013;Lirn et al, 2004;De Langen, 2007;Zarei, 2015;Wang and Yeo, 2019;de Souza et al, 2021;Bas ¸tu g et al, 2022;Munim et al, 2022), while few are longitudinal. Crosssectional analysis cannot account for the influence of time on the variables measured (Caruana et al, 2015).…”