ITF Round Tables Port Competition and Hinterland Connections (International Transport Forum Round Table)

This Round Table publication discusses the policy and regulatory challenges posed by the rapidly changing port environment. The sector has changed tremendously in recent decades with technological and organisational innovation and a powerful expansion of trade. Although ports serve hinterlands that now run deep into continents, competition among ports is increasingly intense and their bargaining power in the supply chain has consequently weakened. Greater port throughput is meeting with increasing resistance from local communities because of pollution and congestion. In addition, local regulation is warranted but made difficult by the distribution of bargaining power among stakeholders. Higher-level authorities could develop more effective policies. Table of Content : -Summary of Discussions -The Relationship between Seaports and the Intermodal Hinterland in Light of Global Supply Chain: European Challenges by T. Notteboom (Belgium) -Responding to Increasing Port-Related Freight Volumes: Lessons from Los Angeles/Long Beach and Other US Ports and Hinterlands by Genevieve Giuliano and Thomas O'Brien (USA) -Assuring Hinterland Access: The Role of Port Authorities by P. de Langen (The Netherlands) -The Impact of Hinterland Access: Conditions on Rivalry between Ports by A. Zhang (Canada)