Sustainable development in seaports: a multi-case study

Seaports are a vital part of the maritime transport industry and have a key role in integrated transport chains and regional economies. However, ports are also sites of environmental pollution originating from land-based activities, ship movements and ports’ own activities. It is, therefore, increasingly recognised that economic growth in ports must be balanced with environmental protection and social progress. This has led to enhanced appreciation of the need for sustainable development (SD) in ports. Whilst much has been written about port environmental practices in European and American ports, there is limited synthesis and comparison of sustainable port practices from different parts of the world. Furthermore, in-depth case analysis and critical examination of the practices and challenges of sustainable port development in a globalised era is limited. This paper presents findings from a qualitative multi-case study that aimed to compare sustainable policies and practices of ports in four different continents and to understand the dilemmas, challenges and opportunities they face in attaining SD. This paper reports findings pertaining to the following research questions: (1) What policy frameworks do ports adopt to attain sustainable development? (2) What specific sustainable practices do ports utilise to manage environmental aspects such as air pollution, water quality, ballast water, dredging and disposal of dredged materials, waste disposal, hazardous substances and land/resource use? (3) What are the driving and constraining forces in achieving sustainable development in ports? Port authorities were studied by reviewing documents and secondary data. The following ports were studied: Port of Long Beach (USA), Port of Rotterdam Authority (The Netherlands), Sydney Ports Corporation (Australia) and Transnet Limited that owns and manages South African ports. Findings of the study demonstrate that the SD paradigm has gained momentum, albeit to differing degrees, in the functioning, organisation and the very ethos of case study ports. An important theme from all case studies is that, whilst there is definite progress towards SD, several practices deemed to be sustainable can be controversial and must be critically examined from the perspectives of different stakeholders including shippers, port-related businesses and the local and global community. Lack of data to monitor environmental impacts, economic costs of implementing sustainable practices and complexities of international, regional and national regulations were other constraining factors. On the other hand, reconciling differences between stakeholders and capitalising on economic opportunities, operational efficiencies and cost savings offered by environmental friendliness can advance port SD. Public–private partnerships and policies negotiated by involving all stakeholders were found to foster port sustainability. Most importantly, this study found that, with globalisation, environmental impacts of ports are not always localised. ‘Sustainable’ practices can have unintended consequences in other parts of the world. Therefore, globalisation necessitates a more critical and global analysis of port operations and environment practices in order to be truly sustainable. Although the scope of the research findings is limited to case study ports, the lessons drawn can be constructively applied to any port operating within an institutional system of structured SD.     

Financing and charging for seaport and airport infrastructures in France

This paper questions responsibilities for the financing of infrastructure for sea and air transport in France. It is stressed that the State accords differential treatment in aid and subsidies to these means of transport and distinguishes between types of infrastructures and superstructure. Some principles concerning charging practices are discussed. Finally, the power of decision in financing infrastructure is examined and, in conclusion it is found that, while some public financing is necessary, this should follow a strict policy.     

Rail infrastructure,ITS and access charges

This paper presents an overview of the principles and technologies relating to railway infrastructure. Specifically this paper includes rail–wheel contact, inspection and maintenance of rail. Intelligent transport systems (ITS) and their applications for the purposes of the railway transport in Europe are discussed. The potential, levels of development, technological and operational characteristics of the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS) are presented. Finally, a discussion on methodologies, principles and current practices for access charging in Europe is provided.     

Port development within the framework of Malaysia's transport policy: some considerations

There is disjunction between the national port policy and the national transport policy in Malaysia, as the latter, for much of its time, focused on national integration rather than trade facilitation. During Malaysia's concentration on national integration, it relied on Singapore as its main port. This allowed Singapore to develop as a centre of transport for Malaysian trade. To break Singapore's stranglehold on its cargo and to make Port Klang a regional hub port, Malaysia must reconcile its national transport and port policies, with the main aim of facilitating trade. In view of the strong presence of transnational corporations in its trade and the fact that world trade today is based on reciprocity, Malaysia may have to consider a more laissez faire approach with regard to port development.     

Port development within the framework of Malaysia's transport policy: some considerations

There is disjunction between the national port policy and the national transport policy in Malaysia, as the latter, for much of its time, focused on national integration rather than trade facilitation. During Malaysia's concentration on national integration, it relied on Singapore as its main port. This allowed Singapore to develop as a centre of transport for Malaysian trade. To break Singapore's stranglehold on its cargo and to make Port Klang a regional hub port, Malaysia must reconcile its national transport and port policies, with the main aim of facilitating trade. In view of the strong presence of transnational corporations in its trade and the fact that world trade today is based on reciprocity, Malaysia may have to consider a more laissez faire approach with regard to port development.     

A conceptual framework for cooperation in hinterland development between neighbouring seaport authorities

The hinterland of a port is probably the most important aspect in the competition between gateway ports. This paper, starting with a literature overview, shows how the port authority can extend its hinterland with the aim of increasing its attractiveness and, eventually, its throughput. To achieve this, it can be advantageous to cooperate with adjacent port authorities. Together, through cooperation, economies of scale can be realised that facilitate a modal shift away from road to a more efficient and more sustainable transport. This would reduce the cost of transport to/from the hinterland region from/to these ports consequently increasing the attractiveness and the market share of the cooperating ports for this region. The paper describes a conceptual method to identify and quantify the opportunities for cooperation in the hinterland. The framework starts, after some basic transport economic concepts, from (theoretically available) hinterland data to locate regions that are at the edge of the contested hinterland of a port region and results in a methodology that can be used to generate a quantified list of regions where cooperation will make a difference. Using this methodology, port authorities (PAs), of any region where hinterland data are available, can list, together with their neighbours, the regions where to prioritise their efforts.     

中国世界级“强港”建设分析与探讨

港口作为海陆运输的枢纽,客货运输的中转站,其地位与作用日益突出。文章通过分析中国现代港口发展,解读中国现代港口特征,探讨中国建设世界级＂强港＂的发展方向,对中国建设世界级＂强港＂提出几点建议,希望对中国港口建设与发展有所帮助。     

通过主成分分析研究比较港口物流发展趋势——以广州港为例

通过主成分分析法可以评价一个港口的综合物流发展水平和潜力。以广州港为例,建立了展示其综合发展的数学模型,同时选择邻近的深圳港进行对比分析。结果表明广州港的货物吞吐量短期内难以与深圳港匹敌,但其广阔的腹地物流支持和经济发展潜力使其整体竞争力快速上升。对广州港集装箱以及运输系统的直接货源腹地--珠江三角洲地区也作了详细分析,并且用最新的竞争情报分析阐述了其在发展过程中所遇到的问题和挑战。最后探讨了通过加强广州港集装箱运输系统的建设,配合公路、铁路以及内陆水系的配套设施以发展整体的第3方港口物流,从港口物流规划的高度综合展望了广州港未来的发展策略。     

Optimal concession contracts for landlord port authorities with different pursuing goals

This paper investigates how landlord port authorities should offer concession contracts to their terminal operators under two different goals, by building a two-stage game for each goal. If maximizing the weighted sum of fee revenues and throughout benefits is port authorities’ goal, then the optimal concession contract can be any of the two-part tariff, the unit-fee, and the fixed-fee contracts. Accordingly, our special cases include previous works assuming that port authorities maximize either fee revenues or throughput benefits. By contrast, if maximizing the social welfare is the goal, then we find that subsidizing terminal operators, instead of charging them, is port authorities’ best choice. This result is not yet discovered in the literature.     

An application of BBNs on the integrated energy efficiency of ship–port interface: a dry bulk shipping case

ABSTRACT

A considerable amount of energy is consumed with every completed ship voyage and each port operation performed. Recent regulative approaches by the IMO are to enforce the shipping industry to become more energy efficient and sustainable. There is a growing amount of literature on the energy efficiency management of ships and ports. However, there is still inadequate research effort on the ship–port interface in order to obtain an Integrated Energy Efficiency framework for marine transport operations. In this research, a theoretical concept is generated to measure holistic energy efficiency in shipping operations. The main purpose of this paper is to identify nodes of the integrated ship-port energy efficiency framework and develop a probabilistic approach, which can help to increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions for shipping companies. This research generates an application of BBNs on ship–port interface regarding the integrated operational energy efficiency interactions by aiming to optimise holistic operational energy efficiency and CO2 emissions. The outcomes suggest that it would be possible to increase the probability of a more energy efficient and sustainable marine transport operation by integrating the influences of port and ship operation performances and their elements on the related route planning and slow steaming decision-making.     

Systematic training for maritime transport managers

Providing effective training for managers in the maritime and ports sector in developing countries has proven to be a daunting task. Initial attempts by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in the 1970s led to the development of senior port manager residence courses in Sweden. However, Given the vast numbers of managers needing training a more eficient method was required. Using the systematic training techniques pioneered by the International Telecommunications Union, UNCTAD, in the 1980s initiated two parallel programme: Trainmer (Training development in Maritime Transport); and IPP (Improving Port Performance). Both of these programmes demonstrated considerable success in terms of the numbers of maritime and port managers receiving training opportunities. Increased cooperation amoungst international agencies providing training programmes should result in improved transport management training in the 1990s, lrading to increased efficiences in port and related transport systems.     

港口枢纽集装箱运输的协调评价

港口枢纽集装箱运输的协调程度对该系统的发展有着很大的促进或制约作用。通过建立港口枢纽集装箱运输的协调评价指标体系和协调评价模型,找出影响系统协调的主要因素和薄弱环节,从而对港口管理部门采取有力措施进行经营决策以争取系统的最大利益,以及制定港口发展规划具有一定的指导意义。     

自动化集装箱码头水平运输系统动力系统及充电方案

针对自动化集装箱码头AGV(自动导引运输车)动力系统及电池充电方式选型的问题,采集了柴油内燃机、铅酸电池及3种锂电池的应用性能数据,对比分析研究得出锂电池动力方式在新一代自动化码头水平运输系统的应用优势。针对我国已经投产应用的集装箱AGV换电池充电方案、机会充电方案、浅充浅放式循环充电方案,从建设成本、作业效率、安全性能到绿色港口建设方面进行对比研究。提出浅充浅放式循环充电方案的应用优势与经济效益,为其他自动化集装箱码头水平运输系统的设计选型提供参考。     

黄骅港煤炭港区朔黄铁路铁矿石返程运输分析

在沿海主要港口铁矿石疏港"公转铁"大趋势下,朔黄铁路沿线地区钢铁企业利用朔黄铁路运输铁矿石势在必行.与目前黄骅港综合港区及天津港朔黄铁路返程运输铁矿石相比,黄骅港煤炭港区开展朔黄铁路返程运输铁矿石管理协调更加顺畅,综合物流成本最低,最适宜开展铁矿石运输业务.     

Marketing management at the world's major ports

Recent technological developments in maritime transport, particularly in container shipping and larger vessels, are having major repercussions at ports the world over. The latest wave of innovations has increased the level of competition in maritime transport, in particular in port activities. Shippers have many more alternatives available, something that tends to increase the hinterland of each port, precisely by reducing captive hinterlands. Ports are now generally moving towards formulas in which private initiative has a bigger role to play. Increases in competition combined with growth in private initiatives highlight the usefulness of marketing tools in two ways. Externally, because they help to achieve throughputs from remote points of origin and destination, and internally, by aiding the proper coordination of business and organizational activity at a commercial port. The present paper is a transversal study of the current situation of marketing and quality tools at major ports, including the opinions of a range of port commercial and marketing managers. We have also tried to describe the differentiated groups to be found at ports, as a useful methodology for identifying the nearest competition or ports with similar characteristics.     

Marketing management at the world's major ports

Recent technological developments in maritime transport, particularly in container shipping and larger vessels, are having major repercussions at ports the world over. The latest wave of innovations has increased the level of competition in maritime transport, in particular in port activities. Shippers have many more alternatives available, something that tends to increase the hinterland of each port, precisely by reducing captive hinterlands. Ports are now generally moving towards formulas in which private initiative has a bigger role to play. Increases in competition combined with growth in private initiatives highlight the usefulness of marketing tools in two ways. Externally, because they help to achieve throughputs from remote points of origin and destination, and internally, by aiding the proper coordination of business and organizational activity at a commercial port. The present paper is a transversal study of the current situation of marketing and quality tools at major ports, including the opinions of a range of port commercial and marketing managers. We have also tried to describe the differentiated groups to be found at ports, as a useful methodology for identifying the nearest competition or ports with similar characteristics.     

港口长距离大运量带式输送机驱动方式探讨

长距离高带速大功率的带式输送机能够有效地节省运输成本,给企业带来显著的经济社会效益,因此在各行各业中的应用越来越多。港口物流运输具有其自身的生产作业特点,对带式输送机的驱动有特殊的要求,软启动驱动不但能够节约能耗,而且能够满足港口带式输送机的启动性能要求,已经越来越多地应用于港口物流企业。     

工业工程(IE)在港口作业中的应用初探

应用工业工程理论与方法改进港口作业具有现实意义。本文从8个方面分析工业工程理论与方法在港口作业中应用的可行性,并以武钢工业港为例,对现有工艺和管理进行分析,提出改进意见。     

我国港口竞争态势分析

港口经济作为经济发展的一种地域形态,近年来获得了巨大的发展,但也带来港口之间竞争的日益激烈。从港口经济发展带来的港口竞争入手,分析了现代港口竞争的主要内容以及港口争夺腹地货源的竞争;并针对港口竞争新焦点,就发展国际多式联运连接港口腹地的空间纽带进行了阐述。     

Determinants of container port choice in Spain

For the economic and financial evaluation of port investment projects, it is important to know the demand function of a port's services. The objective of this study is to establish such a demand choice function for the Spanish container port services. The function is derived from the coefficients of a port choice model, for which a multinomial logit model is used and of which the coefficients are estimated with regression analysis. The variables tested concern inland transport cost, ocean transport costs and broad proxy variables for quality of service. Information on container import and export flows for 2007 is obtained from the Spanish Treasury Department. The linear regression analysis is based on differences of utilities of alternative routings of containerised cargoes compared to those routed via the port of Valencia. The obtained results are satisfactory in terms of model fit. The estimated coefficients can be used to assess the impact of changes in costs of container flows routed via a port on a port's market share. A demand choice function for the port can be derived by systematically doing so. An example is presented for the port of Valencia.