Abstract
This study analyses how port governance systems in Europe have influenced the implementation of port initiatives focused on promoting modal shifts in freight transportation. Through a comprehensive review of port strategies, this research identified 49 individual modal shift initiatives among 21 port authorities in Europe. The results show that ports located in the Northern regions and managed by local governments, particularly in Belgium and the Netherlands, are leaders in executing strategies for modal shifts in freight transportation. Technological solutions and promoting intermodal transportation were found to be the most popular initiatives used to promote hinterland movements of freight by rail and waterborne transportation.
Highlights
As a response to, and facilitator of, increasing international trade during the past few decades, shipping networks and port infrastructure have emerged as an essential element in global logistics chains and as important contributors to the economic and social development of their nearby regions [1]
This study developed a qualitative analysis using descriptive statistics to explore how all different aspects and categorizations have affected the implementation of port initiatives
We distinguish between the main entity responsible for supporting port authority strategies among the 21 ports in the sample
Summary
Facilitator of, increasing international trade during the past few decades, shipping networks and port infrastructure have emerged as an essential element in global logistics chains and as important contributors to the economic and social development of their nearby regions [1]. From the hinterland perspective, increasing road freight tonnage servicing ports has led to a considerable increase in negative externalities, such as road congestion, air emissions, noise pollution and accidents [18,19,20] To address this reality, many public agencies and private actors have developed policies and initiatives to both abate and/or mitigate the negative effects of maritime air emissions [21] while at the same time promoting a modal shift towards water-based modes of freight transportation. Many public agencies and private actors have developed policies and initiatives to both abate and/or mitigate the negative effects of maritime air emissions [21] while at the same time promoting a modal shift towards water-based modes of freight transportation In this regard, several studies indicate that shifting freight from roads to less environmentally damaging modes of transportation, such as rail and the use of waterborne transport, resulting in a net positive environmental impact on cargo distribution.
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