Spatial correlation network structure of port performance and its drivers: A case study of Chinese coastal ports

Abstract

Coastal ports play a critical role as vital intersections connecting land and sea, and their level of spatial connectivity and integration serves as a crucial indicator of competitiveness. This study employs a gravity model to analyse the spatial network of port performance among 21 major coastal ports in China, investigating the overall characteristics of the network, centrality measures, network vulnerability, and spatial clustering features during the period from 2012 to 2021. The findings reveal a relatively stable spatial network structure of the coastal port performance, with closely intertwined connections between ports. Key ports such as Shanghai Port, Qingdao Port, Xiamen Port, and Guangzhou Port occupy central positions within the network, exerting a dominant influence. Port performance shows more obvious clustering characteristics in the correlation network, with strong intra-plate correlations and significant spatial spillover from the Southeast Coast, Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and Southwest Coast. Furthermore, spatial distance, urbanization level, per capita GDP, and marketization level significantly impact the spatial correlation of port performance. The higher the similarity of economic development and marketization levels between ports, the stronger the spatial correlation and spillover of port performance. These research findings contribute to the establishment of collaborative mechanisms for the coordinated development of coastal ports and provide valuable insights for port management decision-making.