Shipping-collaboration model for the new generation of container port in innovation district: A case of Eastern Economic Corridor

Abstract

The current study contributed to the literature by developing a prototype of the shipping-collaboration model illustrating what container ports should do individually or in collaboration with their users as an innovation-district member. The variables contained in the model were drawn from existing literature, and were used to develop a survey regarding the expected collaboration attributes of the users of Laem Chabang Port with the terminal operators in the context of Sriracha Innovation District (SID) Project. The questionnaire was purposively distributed to the strategy managers and senior supervisors of the shipping lines and freight forwarder companies. Based on 288 responses, path analysis was adopted to develop the shipping-collaboration model. The positive impacts of shipping collaboration on the development goals of the SID project highlighted the new agenda for terminal operators, including port authority and users, as SID members to develop new collaborative strategies. Among these, the port's digitalization and adoption of environmentally-friendly technology played a notable role in improving the capacity, energy efficiency, and sustainability of the container port.