L. Fedi

The new governance structure of French seaports: an initial post-evaluation

France undertook a large port reform in 2008, which came into force in 2010–2011. It mostly applies a landlord port model to major French seaports, with the prediction that doing so will restore competiveness. This article presents the 2008 port reform, discusses why it was needed, notably with regard to the underperformance of container traffic, and details how new governing bodies are sharing their responsibilities amongst themselves. To this end, a textual analysis of the agenda items for the governing bodies created since 2011 of the largest French seaport, Port of Marseille, provides a means to compare the items discussed by the former management bodies. This analysis identifies a trend, in which the supervisory board focuses on global issues, the advisory board addresses local issues, and the board of directors considers internal issues. Even if ongoing, this transition creates favorable conditions to work more efficiently and may represent a step toward the better performance of French seaports.

The key role of infrastructure in backshoring operations: the case of free zones

ABSTRACT ‘Backshoring’ or ‘reshoring’ is a key issue for governments and companies. This article aims to address the role of infrastructure in backshoring process through the free zone areas. Based on the interactive network approach, two case studies have been analysed, one in the United States of America and the other in Mauritius. Results show the helpfulness of this broader view in understanding certain characteristics of backshoring. From this perspective, we could consider backshoring as a network process that binds actors locally thanks to the reshoring of resources in order to combine them and create new value with domestic activities. These activities are neither the same as they were when domestic, nor the same as when they were once abroad because the whole interaction process in the supply chain networks changes the nature of interactions. This research concludes that, offshoring, then backshoring transforms the use of resources, its allocation among actors (countries, clusters and companies) and therefore explains pericentral reverse offshoring.

A Modern Concept of Free Ports in the 21st Century: A Definition towards a Supply Chain Added Value

Although the concept of a free port has existed since antiquity and remains in force today, it does not refer to a single monolithic reality and does not have a universally accepted definition. This article aims to analyze the modern concept of free ports highlighting their place and role in global supply chains in order to provide a better understanding of these key nodal points. In order to reach the definition of free ports used in this article, we rely on a systemic triangulation approach based on the historical, structural, and functional aspects of free ports.

The impact of the Polar Code on risk mitigation in Arctic waters: a “toolbox” for underwriters?

ABSTRACT The existing risk weighing on vessel, crew and ecosystem in the Arctic and more globally in Polar waters promoted the adoption of the Polar Code (PC) early 2017, a mandatory international legal framework intended for enhanced safety and environmental protection. While the substance of the PC has been extensively analyzed, few studies have focused on the underlying relationships between the PC and underwriters. Based on an extensive literature review, documentary materials and interviews with insurance companies, this article conceptualizes the PC as a “toolbox” and analyzes how underwriters can exploit it in their work within the emerging Arctic market. The PC does not only regulate the navigation in Arctic waters in legal terms, but is also aimed at mitigating risks in the Polar areas through the identification of hazard sources and proceduralization of risk assessment. As a result we observe a certain “Polar Code paradox”. Even though the PC is a risk-based instrument and constitutes a key step for improving ship insurability, it has only limited capacity to assist underwriters in assessing risks and insuring vessels. Marine insurers still face a lack of data and high pending uncertainties leading them to exercise extreme caution with Arctic risks appraisal.