Port reform in Australia: issues in the ownership debate

Australia port reform initiatives have taken on a variety of forms — from out-right sale and transfer of ownership, to the sale of particular assets of infrastructure or services, or to long-term lease arrangements; or in some cases state governments, unable to relinquish control, have opted for corporatization or commercialization strategies. Reform is driven by the belief that ownership impacts on efficiency and efficiency is perceived to suffer if governments either retain ownership or direct control. As a result a major aim of reform is to either remove or distance governments from day to day port operations. The sale of ports removes government control outright and privatized ports are subject to identical regulatory constraints as any company in the private sector. But corporatization strategies are such that government ownership is retained and ports have been transformed into statutory state owned corporations. Effectiveness of this strategy requires legislation to be such that port corporations are free to operate like their private sector counterparts. To date this has not occurred and some serious impediments are emerging which are embedded in legislation and which, rather than reduce, have indeed, increased government control.     

Assessing port governance models: process and performance components

This paper develops a conceptual framework that integrates various relevant port performance components in a way that can be used for a comprehensive port evaluation and adjustment of existing port governance models. The paper presents a synthesis of the literature on port governance models and port performance, arguing that the process of change is a dynamic one, and that the performance outcome of a reform process influences the next round of reforms. It also explores the potential for decomposing performance into two different, although related, port performances components, namely efficiency and effectiveness. Bringing into the analysis concepts like the need to integrate users’ satisfaction in port performance assessment, the paper explores the content of each of these components and their relationship. This discussion, along with empirical evidence provided by port authorities, leads to the conclusion that governance decisions, both at firm and government levels, are largely based on a very limited assessment of port performance. The effectiveness of port reform is largely neglected, with user perspectives not being an integral part of an effort to improve performance by the port or as feedback to assess the effectiveness of the governance model imposed by the government's port policy.     

Impact of politics,economic events and port policies on the evolution of maritime traffic in Chinese ports

The Chinese government has been exploring various paths to find a direction that better suits China’s national conditions during the past 60 years. Meanwhile, a series of political and economic events and policy transformations have had different effects on the port industry. This article attempts to ascertain how these events and port policies have influenced Chinese port traffic through an empirical study on data covering 1952–2009. The findings suggest that foreign trade has been the prime driver of the throughput of Chinese ports. The increase in the ports’ throughput has enabled an increase in domestic demand and the urgent need for further port investment. Chinese port throughput has been subject to multiple shocks. The Great Leap Forward¹ is found to have had the largest, but only a short-term impact. China’s accession to the World Trade Organization, however, led to a longer and exclusive effect on ports, with little observed effect on the other variables. The reform of port governance is shown to have had a more lasting positive effect on port throughput than physical investment. However, these latter effects are minor, the economic and political factors remain the primary driving factors of port throughput.     

The dynamics of port reform: different contexts,similar strategies

Research into port reform in Taiwan and Australia indicates that reform was undertaken in different contexts while committed and adopting similar strategies. Reform in both countries has been consistent with paradigmatic shifts towards market orientation, and within this context, privatisation was considered the preferred option. In both Taiwan and Australia, however, governments, reluctant to relinquish control over their ports, opted for corporatisation models. This article discusses the dynamics and drivers of reform and examines the outcome of these strategies. Both countries commenced port reform with deregulation of dock labour employment and introduced enterprise-based employment replacing the labour pool system. Privatisation of stevedoring operations was introduced at the same time in Taiwan. In the second reform phase, Taiwan amalgamated the four major commercial ports under a single state-owned port company in March 2012, with the objective of reducing inter-port competition and creating a central port planning mechanism. Australian ports, on the other hand, have undergone restructuring with the implementation of corporatisation, privatisation and commercialisation strategies since 1990s. Reform strategies in both countries display some similarities, e.g. rationalisation strategies in both Taiwan and Tasmanian ports, but also display some distinct dissimilarities with the increasing move to privatisation in Australia, e.g. the sale of South Australian ports and in 2010 the sale of the port of Brisbane.     

Port strategic planning: Canadian port reform

Recent port reform established major commercial ports as Canadian Port Authorities (CPAs) as federal non-profit, business corporations. Canadian port reform was aimed at allowing CPAs to compete effectively. Canada's major ports operate in an increasingly competitive business environment. To gain advantage over their competition, Canadian ports must develop business strategies dealing with their organizational cultures, institutional structures, operations, and facility provision. Developing appropriate strategies involves creating a strategic plan that considers external and internal port environments. This paper outlines the evolution of strategic planning and its applicability to Canadian ports. The initial literature review is followed by a brief review of Canadian port reform and an analysis of external and internal port environments. This analysis determines the resources available to exploit external opportunities and defend against threats, and considers the internal strengths and weaknesses of Canadian ports. A list of strategic issues facing Canadian ports and how the Canada Marine Act affected them is derived from the analysis.     

Legal and practical consequences of not complying with ISM code

Almost a decade since port corporatization was introduced in Australia it is becoming clear that initial objectives are not being realized. This paper explores some of the legal and legislative causes, the effect on port operation and investigates what necessary conditions are required to deliver an effective corporatized port business. The paper argues that effective corporatization is a product of effective legislation—one which, while emulating private sector business practices—can deliver a business model that is innovative, entrepreneurial, commercially oriented and free from self-serving political constraints.

The legislation and corporatized artifacts in Australian mainland ports have failed, in general, to deliver this. Arguably, the legislation has, in fact, created a model with inherent flaws and serious contradictions. The legislation enacted is such that while it has set in place a model that articulates commercial objectives, the model created is in fact one in which political objectives may override commercial ones; where strategy may be determined by a bureaucratic elite without the requisite skills and insights, and the resultant strategy appears ad hoc; and a corporate culture that frequently has failed to transcend that of the statutory authority and public utility model. This paper will test these assertions against the developments in the port of Melbourne.     

Effective corporatization of ports is a function of effective legislation: legal issues in the existing paradigm

Almost a decade since port corporatization was introduced in Australia it is becoming clear that initial objectives are not being realized. This paper explores some of the legal and legislative causes, the effect on port operation and investigates what necessary conditions are required to deliver an effective corporatized port business. The paper argues that effective corporatization is a product of effective legislation—one which, while emulating private sector business practices—can deliver a business model that is innovative, entrepreneurial, commercially oriented and free from self-serving political constraints.

The legislation and corporatized artifacts in Australian mainland ports have failed, in general, to deliver this. Arguably, the legislation has, in fact, created a model with inherent flaws and serious contradictions. The legislation enacted is such that while it has set in place a model that articulates commercial objectives, the model created is in fact one in which political objectives may override commercial ones; where strategy may be determined by a bureaucratic elite without the requisite skills and insights, and the resultant strategy appears ad hoc; and a corporate culture that frequently has failed to transcend that of the statutory authority and public utility model. This paper will test these assertions against the developments in the port of Melbourne.     

一种基于SBC的SIP穿越NAT技术的研究

软交换是下一代网络中的核心技术,SIP协议在软交换中起着十分重要的作用。但SIP协议的NAT穿越一直影响着NGN业务的发展。文章介绍了SBC方案,并在其基础上提出B2BSBC的私网穿越方案,实现了只收不发、收发端口互异等特殊终端在不同私网间的通信。     

港口铁路综合作业能力计算及影响原因分析

根据铁路作业能力的分析方法,结合港口铁路作业的特点,提出了港口铁路综合作业能力的计算方法。分析影响作业能力的主要原因和提高港口铁路作业能力的具体措施。     

Human resources in the mixed ownership reform of Chinese ports: the mediating effects of organizational commitment

In the process of the change to mixed ownership of Chinese ports, the allocation of human resources has become increasingly important because of the workforce’s growing concerns regarding losses of benefits. The mediating effect of organizational commitment in the relationship between person-organization fit and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) can provide a significant reference for port managers and regulators, i.e., the government, regarding the framework of human resource systems. The data examined in this study were collected from three Chinese ports (Qingdao Port, Yantai Port and Rizhao Port) that are in the process of changing to mixed ownership. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the hypotheses. The results show that it is extremely difficult for groups with vested interests in Chinese ports to achieve consistency fit in the short term and to accept potential losses. Moreover, it is imperative to adopt a scientific and efficient person-organization fit mechanism and personnel system to achieve a higher level of fit.     

Port strategic planning: Canadian port reform

Recent port reform established major commercial ports as Canadian Port Authorities (CPAs) as federal non-profit, business corporations. Canadian port reform was aimed at allowing CPAs to compete effectively. Canada's major ports operate in an increasingly competitive business environment. To gain advantage over their competition, Canadian ports must develop business strategies dealing with their organizational cultures, institutional structures, operations, and facility provision. Developing appropriate strategies involves creating a strategic plan that considers external and internal port environments. This paper outlines the evolution of strategic planning and its applicability to Canadian ports. The initial literature review is followed by a brief review of Canadian port reform and an analysis of external and internal port environments. This analysis determines the resources available to exploit external opportunities and defend against threats, and considers the internal strengths and weaknesses of Canadian ports. A list of strategic issues facing Canadian ports and how the Canada Marine Act affected them is derived from the analysis.     

吊具垂缆防打结技术的研究

吊具垂缆是吊具各机构电源及信号、也是吊具状态信号反馈至PLC的唯一通道.为防止吊具垂缆打结和出筐,发生意外损坏,进行了改革.通过分析找出故障原因,采用增加垂缆筐高度的方法,取得良好效果.     

VZ型涡流制动器铁芯支座的改造

涡流制动器在门机变幅机构上用来实现电动机减速制动。研究制动器轴承异常破损故障的发生原因,提出一种简便的改进安装方式。改造后大大降低了故障率,节约了维修成本。     

港口工程施工中大体积混凝土裂缝的防治建议

为提高港口工程的施工质量,对施工中大体积混凝土裂缝的防治提出建议。分析大体积混凝土裂缝的成因、特点,其中的成因可概括为：温度变化、钢筋锈蚀、混凝土坍落度过大、原材料不符合规范等几种。分析了它们的特点。针对原因,提出了相应的防治措施。可供类似工程借鉴。     

Can we really measure the impact of port governance reform?

Approaches by governments to reforming the way in which ports are governed are critical to how ports operate and fulfil their roles, and much research is devoted to investigating the impact of such reform. Yet, although the challenges of such research are noted, little attention is devoted to questioning whether measuring such impact is actually possible. We argue consideration of this question is fundamentally important for policy makers and researchers. Specifically, if uncertainty exists regarding whether we have measured the impact of the reform, how can we research its effect or justify its introduction? Conversely, a more conscious consideration of whether we can really measure the impact of port governance reform arguably means a more effective contextualization and rationalization of both policy and research. In this polemical paper, we critically consider three salient areas in relation to whether we can really measure the impact of port governance reform: ‘key terms and their ambiguity’, ‘aspects of time and geography’ and ‘issues of methods and context’. We summarize the key issues and offer suggestions for policy makers and researchers to approach them in an aim to both help measure the impact of port governance reform and also aid future policy development.     

全球供应链视角的东亚港口物流服务绩效与趋势分析*

东亚港口基于旺盛的贸易运输需求而在全球供应链体系中崛起,同时也因为港口拥挤等问题而存在降低贸易成本的空间。首先从全球供应链视角解析港口物流服务格局,突出了东亚地区、特别是中国港口的地位,评价港口物流的综合绩效和竞争状态,然后对发展趋势做出预测。研究发现：东亚港口将通过持续投资实现供给需求的动态平衡;日本地震引致的全球供应链重组将使港口物流服务发生结构性变化,东亚将加强跨国港口物流合作以满足区域经济一体化的要求。     

The role of US ocean Ports in promoting an efficient ocean transportation system

This paper investigates wheather the actions of US ocean ports (since the passage of the Shipping Act of 1984) are supportive of the promotion of an efficient transportation system for US ocean commerce. In the short run, US ocean ports have generally been supportive of this efficiency goal;competiton among US ocean ports has has increased as is evident by the significant reduction that has occurred in port natural hinterlands. In the long run, port sunk costs, consolidations and cooperative activities, and long-term leases with ocean carriers are likely to be non-supportive of the efficiency goal.     

Book reviews of Maritime Transport. Edited by M ary R. B rooks,K enneth B utton and P eter N ijkamp (Cheltenham UK: Edward Elgar, 2002) [Pp. 553] £150.00. ISBN 1 84064 552 0

Using the extended task-technology fit (TTF) model, this paper investigates how certain factors (e.g. task characteristics, technology (i.e. intranet) characteristics, middle managers’ demographic characteristics, task-technology fit, and perceived usefulness and usage) affect the port middle managers’ job performance. Numerous organizations in the port industry constitute the population of interest. The preliminary results suggest that the majority of middle managers believe that intranet could improve their job performance. The results from the structural equation modelling (SEM) indicate that task characteristics and intranet characteristics significantly justify their variance on task-technology fit. However, demographic variables do not predict task-technology fit. Perceived usefulness is found to be a predictor of intranet usage. Task technology fit, on the other hand, significantly predicts usage and explains the variance on middle managers’ job performance. This study is the first study to investigate the effects of intranet usage and managerial performances in an integrative perspective, taking into account various user acceptance models and users’ demographic characteristics.     

船用客梯车双动力改造与环保应用

为提高双动力船用客梯安全性,加强环保,对船用客梯车液压系统的双动力改造升级。分析船用客梯常见故障及原因。提出采用电机、柱塞泵方案,提高系统压力,解决液压锁打不开、四液缸起升不同步的难题。以电力驱动为主要动力,有效降低排放,实现节能环保。实现了安全可靠的双动力设计。     

Initial public offerings in the port industry: exploring the determinants of underpricing

The capital-intensive nature of the port industry and the long payback period of port investments traditionally determine high financial needs for operating the business. Due to the growing financial requirements for developing greenfield mega-projects and feeding international terminal operators’ overseas expansion, equity markets are expected to extend their role in promoting the industry. In this perspective, the underpricing phenomenon, which represents a direct cost for the issuer during initial public offering (IPO) and discourages companies from going public, is neglected by port literature. The paper explores the antecedents of IPO underpricing in ports. Building upon extant finance and port literature, firm characteristics, transaction features, and country-specific variables are tested as determinants of IPOs’ initial returns. For the aim of this study, 58 port-related IPOs taking place on international stock exchanges are examined, and ordinary least squares regression analysis is performed. The study offers unprecedented understandings of the phenomenon and supports port managers in facing financial challenges. Before launching the IPO, financial executives are invited to carefully identify time-window opportunities, and to monitor underwriters’ reputation when selecting financial partners. Findings bring insights for policymakers, as the public listing of port companies emerges a viable option for implementing port reform.