Developing Dry Ports Through the Use of Value-Added Services

Abstract

The growth of containerised sea transport has caused a demand for improved efficiency and increased capacity in the transit through seaports as well as in the transport to and from seaports in the hinterland. To stimulate the development of those seamless intermodal transport chains, the concept of dry ports has been established. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how value-added services can support the transformation of a conventional inland terminal into a dry port and how an existing dry port can be further developed through the use of value-added services. This conceptual paper combines literature from the field of dry ports with literature addressing value-added services, with data obtained through interviews with actors in the transport system. The conclusions indicate that the development of dry ports and their viability may depend on different value-added services being available at the dry port, however only once the infrastructure and basic services are in place. Furthermore, the availability of value-added services may increase the dry port’s attractiveness. This paper provides a platform for further research on the importance of value-added services for dry ports’ development.