CORE COURSES

Port Economics and Policy

Background
Trade liberalisation and intensified global competition pose new challenges on the port industry. Ports around the world are losing their traditional character as mere interface points between land and sea and assume a more decisive role, as vital nodes in complex global maritime supply chains. Sophisticated shipping networks and easily accessed hinterlands intensify competition among container terminals, requiring efficient management and strategic vision. Governments are becoming aware of the importance of ports in their export-led growth strategies and are increasingly introducing private sector characteristics in port administration.

Objectives
The objective of the course is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and analytical skills required for the efficient management and development of a port, and to enable them develop and evaluate port policies under a holistic understanding of a port's significance to the national economy and international maritime supply chains.

Recommended reading:

• Rodrigue, J.P., Slack, B. and Notteboom, T. (2006): ‘Port terminals’. In: Rodrigue, J.P., Slack, B.
  and Notteboom, T. (Eds.): The Geography of Transport Systems. Routledge: New York, Chapter
  4 (Concept 3).
   
• Hoyle, B. and Pinder, D. (1992): ‘Cities and the sea: change and development in contemporary
  Europe’. In: Hoyle, B. and Pinder, D. (Eds.): European Port Cities in Transition, Belhaven
  Press: London, pp. 1-19.
   
• Fleming, D.K. and Hayuth, Y. (1994): ‘Spatial characteristics of transportation hubs: centrality
  and intermediacy’. Journal of Transport Geography 2(1): 3-18.
   
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTD) (1992): Port Marketing and
  the Challenge of Third Generation Port, UNCTD Committee on Shipping: New York, pp. 32-43.
  Pando, J., Araujo, A. and Maqueda, F.J. (2005): ‘Marketing management at the world’s major
  ports’. Maritime Policy and Management 32(2): 67-87.
   
• Heaver, T.D. (1995): ‘The implications of increased competition among ports for port policy and
  management’. Maritime Policy and Management 22(2): 125-133.
   
• Haralambides, H.E., Ma, S. and Veenstra, A.W. (1997): ‘World wide experiences of port
  reform’. In: Meersman, H. and Van de Voorde, E. (Eds.): Transforming the Port and
  Transportation Business. Acco Publishing: Leuven, pp. 1-27.