E Van De Voorde

CO-OPERATION AND COMPETITION IN INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TRANSPORT: STRATEGIES FOR PORTS

This paper focuses on the response of port authorities to the changing market environment in which they operate. It documents the changes taking place in the relationships between port authorities and terminal management companies and considers the strategic issues faced by these groups and other port interests. In particular, it investigates the potential conflicts of interest for a port authority in matters related to the level of competition amongst terminals within a port and the amount of competition amongst ports.

Do mergers and alliances influence European shipping and port competition

In Europe, ports are confronted with a closer integration in the maritime and shipping industries. The co-operation agreements can take several forms such as alliances and mergers among shipping lines, conferences, involvement of shipping companies in terminal management, and extending interests in inland transport of shipping companies. In this paper we give a brief overview of these different types of agreement and we examine the consequences of this evolution of the market structures in which ports and shipping companies have to operate. More specifically, attention goes to the competitive position of the port in this new environment. It is clear that the role of the port and the port authorities has to be redefined to guarantee that it remains a fully fledged player in this fast evolving integrated market.

A quarter a century of port management in Europe: objectives and tools

The past quarter of a century has brought with it significant change in the field of port management, both in terms of the goals that are set and the tools used. This trend has resulted in increased pressure on port authorities. The purpose of this paper is to deal in greater detail with developments in this area of port economics.

Cost‐benefit analysis of an air freight terminal

This paper contains a cost‐benefit analysis of public investment in the air freight terminal Brucargo at the Brussels National Airport. Costs are investment and operation expenses. Benefits are consumer surplus and operation income. Consumer surplus is estimated from the observed shift of the demand function. The investment appears to have a high rate of return.