Port regionalization: towards a new phase in port development

Abstract

Inland distribution is becoming a very important dimension of the globalisation / maritime transportation / freight distribution paradigm. Observed logistics integration and network orientation in the port and maritime industry have redefined the functional role of ports in value chains and have generated new patterns of freight distribution and new approaches to port hierarchy. Existing models on the spatial and functional evolution of ports and port systems only partially fit into the new freight distribution paradigm. This paper aims to add to existing literature by introducing a port regionalization phase in port and port system development. It is demonstrated that the regionalization phase and associated hinterland concepts demand new approaches to port governance and a functional focus that goes beyond the traditional port perimeter.

Research Trends of Inland Terminals: A Literature Review

“…This is the reason why many shipping companies consider inland logistics as the most vital area to reduce transport costs. Present terminals are active nodes dimensioned and positioned to expand the port hinterland and to attract goods flows outside the traditional ports hinterland [38].…”

O Contributo de Sines na Eclosão de um Cluster Regional

“…Com o acréscimo da influência do porto sobre o tecido socioeconómico regional, a fase que se anuncia será a de regionalização portuária do hinterland, processo que descreve o alargamento da importância da atividade marítimo-portuária ao seu hinterland principal. De acordo com este modelo (Notteboom e Rodrigue, 2005), a regionalização expande a atividade portuária através da adoção de várias estratégias, ligando-a de modo mais forte aos centros logísticos de distribuição de cargas no inland, o que aumenta a escala geográfica da atividade portuária para lá do perímetro do porto.…”

Agile Port and Intermodal Transport Operations Model to Secure Lean Supply Chains Concept

“…Consequently, logistics in maritime container terminals and operations management problems have been deeply analysed and discussed in different papers and analyses by Steenken et al, Vis and de Koster, Notteboom et al and others [3] [4] [5]. Paixao and Marlow propose that ports must adopt a completely new logistic approach and agility to cope with new trends on the market [6].…”

“…Some researches have been done by Noteboom and Rodrigue, in which they analyse the port's function in connection with hinterland connections and inland intermodal terminals, and their function in supply chains [5,9]. New trends indubitably dictate the necessity of such researches, in order to stimulate the development of new operational methods and logistics models.…”