A ternary diagram approach to investigate the competition within the bohai sea rim multi-port group

Abstract

Bohai Rim is the third "growth pole" in China's economic development. Tianjin Port, Dalian Port, and Qingdao Port in the Bohai Rim multi-port system compete fiercely for the position of the shipping center in northern China. Compared with the ternary diagram method, the comprehensive concentration index (CCI), Lerner index (LI), and spatial shift-share analysis (SSSA) are applied to investigate the concentration, inequality, and competitive dynamics of the Bohai Rim multi-port system during 1981–2021. This contribution aims to analyze the evolution path and dynamic mechanism of the Bohai Rim multi-port system. The method allows the development to be divided into three stages: the dominant stage of Tianjin Port from 1981–1990, the stage of efficiency competition from 1991–1996, and the ascending stage of Qingdao Port from 1997–2021. The results indicate that: i) the concentration of the Bohai Rim multi-port system is low, and balanced growth is ensured in the non-monopolistic competitive environment; ii) the internal competitiveness of the Bohai Rim multi-port system has gradually shifted from Tianjin Port to Qingdao Port, while the container transport in Dalian Port has slowly developed. iii) the container throughput of Dalian Port has declined since 2015, with weak competitiveness. The results suggest that Qingdao Port should be developed into the northern China shipping center. The method applied here may also be useful for similar multi-port systems elsewhere.