Port Systems in Global Competition

<p>In a world where most international trade is carried by sea each port can be seen as a unique chokepoint competing to attract ever more traffic and economic activities. However ports can also be seen as parts of a wider system which can be defined as a system of two or more ports located in proximity within a given area. Their fate and governance is jointly influenced when belonging to the same region country or transnational space. Investments shocks innovations and delays occurring in one port often affect other ports within a certain spatial range and time lapse. Further understanding of such co-developments in port systems is necessary to go beyond local specificities through a multidisciplinary and multi-level contribution. </p><p><em>Port Systems in Global Competition</em> is an answer to the strong and urgent need for reviewing the relevant theories concepts methods and sources that can be mobilized for the analysis of port systems. With contributions from reputable scholars coming from no less than 11 countries in Europe Asia and North America this book delves into the analysis of port systems from diverse disciplinary angles (geography regional science economics management engineering and mathematics/computer sciences) covering innovative empirical approaches to various port systems in the world. The theoretical and empirical knowledge can support and enhance decision-making in relation with the development of ports supply chains and transport networks in general. </p><p>This book is an ideal companion to academics and upper-level students interested in the analysis of transport and economic systems in general as well as the effective ways to answer complex issues in transportation and socio-economic development. It will be a valuable resource for those researching or studying transportation and supply chains maritime and port economics as well as regional development and human geography.</p>