The container transport system: Selection criteria and business attractiveness for North-European ports

Abstract

In the modern global business environment, port policymakers must continuously make an effort to understand what factors influence port users’ choice of port. This article identifies which factors affect port selection most strongly. It does so for three ports: Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hamburg – and three types of decision makers: shippers, carriers and freight forwarders. The Analytical Hierarchy Process method is applied to gauge port players’ prioritization of decision factors in port selection. Data are collected by means of two sets of questionnaire surveys. The prioritized criteria differ between the three mentioned respondent groups, which is attributed to their respective positions and responsibilities within the supply chain, and the contract of carriage concerned (carrier haulage or merchant haulage). The overall results yield the following ranking of port selection criteria in decreasing order of importance: port costs, geographical location, quality of hinterland connections, productivity and capacity. In respect of general port attractiveness, Antwerp is found to be the most attractive, followed by Rotterdam in second place, and Hamburg in third.