| Abstract: | In this paper, the role of Italian shipping firms in the logistic services market is defined in light of major changes under way. The first part analysed the structural characteristics of the supply and demand for logistic and transport services, in which a situation of substantial weakness emerged. This situation has favoured the large-scale entry of foreign operators on the Italian market which perceive Italy as a key node within the international scenario of transport and logistics. The second part of the paper focused on the analysis of individual areas in Italian shipping and their capacity to differentiate service by supplying value added logistic services beyond transport. The analysis showed a position of substantial marginality for Italian shipping, a position which gives rise to several doubts regarding its capacity to face the challenge of international competition successfully. |
