Location Advantages of the Container Port for Perishable Goods in the Murcia Region

Abstract

Intercontinental perishable cargo is shipped mostly in refrigerated (reefer) containers, specialised for perishable goods. Thus, specific conditions should be provided and controlled properly due to the limited shelf life of such cargo. Moreover, as the transport must last as short as possible, the location of ports in the distribution networks influences transportation time to the destination of the cargo. This article discusses the advantages of locating the port of Cartagena for this type of transport, as shorter transport reduces the likelihood of perishable goods reaching the buyer in a worse condition than stipulated in the contract between sellers and buyers. The gravity model estimates the possibility to open a new port in the Murcia Region to reduce the total transportation time, including the waiting time of vessels in the Mediterranean ports. The gravity model, which includes perishability dynamics, is embedded in a hierarchical network of perishable cargo transport, where the timing of transport is crucial. This approach was used to evaluate the possibilities to build new container terminals in the Cartagena area. This approach could also improve the results of the evaluation of location advantages of ports for other intercontinental perishable cargo.