Coastal Ports Research Articles

Study on the Interaction between Green Competitiveness of Coastal Ports and Hinterland Economy

Accelerating the construction of green ports and promoting the green transformation of the economy and society are important trends in port and regional development today. This research explores the interaction between the green competitiveness of coastal ports and the hinterland economy from 2007 to 2019 by taking the 10 largest coastal ports in China as the research object and combining the Super-SBM Model with the panel data model. The results show that the green competitiveness of coastal ports is fluctuating, and the green competitiveness of Qingdao and Shanghai ports is stronger in the production frontier surface. Compared with the size of ports, the level of port technology is an important factor to improve the green competitiveness of ports. In terms of interaction, the total economic volume of the hinterland, the proportion of the added value of the tertiary industry, and the waterway transportation between the port and the hinterland have a significant positive impact on the green competitiveness of the port, and the improvement of the green competitiveness of the port and the waterway transportation between the port and the hinterland effectively drive the economic development of the hinterland. This study provides an important basis for the rational use of the port–hinterland interaction and promotes the coordinated and healthy development of both.

Impact of Technological Innovation and Covid-19 on the Yangtze River Delta Region’s FDI

The Yangtze River Delta is an area in China’s lower portions of the Yangtze River that borders both the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea and contains a large number of coastal ports. Foreign direct investment (FDI) has driven the rapid development of the local economy. However, there are few studies on the impact of local technological innovation on the attractiveness of FDI. This paper examines how technical innovation affects FDI and considers if FDI might be encouraged by technological advancements made during Covid-19. This paper uses the principal component analysis method to establish the technological innovation index. The regression model is established to evaluate the impact of technological innovation and Covid-19 on Foreign direct investment (FDI). We found that technological innovation has a positive effect on FDI. At the same time, under the background of Covid-19, technological innovation is not conducive to attracting FDI. We also provide some recommendations to assist the government in fostering technological innovation. (1) The local government ought to support both homegrown and international innovation. (2) The government should also promote the development of creative talent teams and inspire scientists and technicians to work for regional businesses or launch their own ventures.

Research on the symbiosis of port and city based on symbiosis theory: empirical evidence from China's coastal port groups

Based on the symbiosis theory, this paper uses symbiosis degree and symbiosis coefficient models to identify the symbiosis mode between the port and the city in China's coastal port groups. 1) From 2010 to 2019, the port development level has generally shown a downward trend, but the overall city development level was rising. The level of port development has also decreased in cities where the city development level has declined or slowed down; 2) Ports and cities exhibit two modes of symbiosis: positive mutualism and reverse competition mutualism. However, the number of cities with positive mutualism is gradually decreasing. 3) Cities that have switched from a symbiosis model to a reverse competition mutualism model are followed by cities that maintain the mutualism symbiosis model with ports. 4) Ports and cities perform in an asymmetric symbiosis mode and the symbiosis mode has gradually shifted from more significant city influences to the port-city influences.

Research on the Symbiosis of Port and City Based on Symbiosis Theory: Empirical evidence from China's coastal port groups

Research on the Symbiosis of Port and City Based on Symbiosis Theory: Empirical evidence from China's coastal port groups

The impact of competition on operational efficiency of ports: Empirical evidence from Chinese coastal port-listed companies

This study investigates the specific impacts of competition on operational efficiency of China's coastal ports. Firstly, we use Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to calculate the scores of operational efficiency of selected China's coastal ports from 2010 to 2019. Findings are as follows: (1) except for an individual port (Lianyungang port), the scores of most ports are overall above 0.8; (2) Ports have significant gaps in scores. Secondly, we use panel data model to analyse the specific effects of competition on operational efficiency, and obtain three notable points: (1) Competition among China's coastal ports is relatively intense from 2010 to 2019; (2) Competition improves the operational efficiency of ports; (3) Port size is used more than the production technology and the level of operation and management to improve operational efficiency before 2014, while the opposite is true after 2014.

Research on the Coordinated Development of Coastal Port Logistics and International Trade: Based on Six Coastal Provinces of China

As an important channel for international trade cargo transportation, the logistics development level of coastal ports is a key factor to promote the growth of international trade. Strengthening the coordinated development of coastal port logistics and international trade will help promote the sustainable development process of countries (regions). Based on this, this paper explores the sustainable development of coastal port logistics and international trade. Taking six coastal provinces (cities) in China as samples, by analyzing the index data of each subsystem from 2016 to 2020, the entropy weight method is used to calculate the weight of each index, and the coupling coordination model of coastal port logistics development and international trade is constructed to explore the coordinated development degree. Through empirical analysis, it is proposed to strengthen the infrastructure construction of coastal ports, promote low-carbon operations, improve the optimal allocation of resources, and deepen the development of cooperation with coastal ports in importing and exporting countries. The results show that the coordination degree of China’s coastal port logistics and international trade development has great regional differences. Shanghai and Zhejiang Province have been at a good level of coordinated development in recent years, while the coordinated development degree of Liaoning Province and Tianjin is in the reciprocal position.

Mersin Körfezindeki Liman ve Kıyı Tesislerinde Pandeminin Etkisi ve İstatistiksel Analizi

The biggest impact of the pandemic, which started at the beginning of 2020, was seen on logistics and supply chains. Ports are one of the most important nodes of the logistics and supply chain. In this study, Mersin International Port and other coastal port facilities which are in the East-Mediterranean were evaluated on a scope of data between 2013 and 2021. By using the regression analysis method for Mersin port, freight demand forecasts were made for the pandemic period 2020-2021. The impact of the pandemic was evaluated by comparing the freight demand forecasts made for the years 2020-2021 with the actual figures. In the regression analysis, the number of ships arriving at the port (V) was determined as the independent variable, the annual container (TEU - Twenty Equivalent Container Unit) handled at the port and the annual total cargo handled (MT – Metric Tonnes) were determined as the dependent variables. The impact of the pandemic on Mersin International Port was evaluated by comparing the estimated values for the years 2020-2021 with the actual data. As a result, when the port and coastal facilities in Mersin Bay were evaluated over V, MT and TEU parameters, it showed that the pandemic process did not have a statistically significant effect. On the contrary, it has been observed that the freight mobility in Mersin port has increased, the number of ships arriving at the port has decreased especially with the berthing of larger ships, but more TEU and total cargo have been handled as the tonnage of the incoming ships has increased.

Wicked Flesh: Black Women, Intimacy, and Freedom in the Atlantic World

Wicked Flesh: Black Women, Intimacy, and Freedom in the Atlantic World

Power and Play

Power and Play

Carbon emission reduction of shore power from power energy structure in China

With the construction of China’s ecological civilization and the proposal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, shore power has been vigorously developed as an important technology for the future green development of ports. However, China’s electricity is still mostly coal-fired, which produces many carbon emissions. Coupled with regional differences, shore power is by no means certain to lower carbon emissions compared with fuel throughout China. Considering the power energy structure in different regions, this paper establishes a carbon emission correlation model between fuel and shore power during ship berthing, calculates the feasibility and actual emission reduction effect of shore power in coastal ports, and studies the restriction condition of starting time for the use of shore power for ships attached to ports according to the national policy of mandatory use of shore power. The results show that only a small part of coastal provinces and cities are suitable for using shore power, and it is limited by the berthing time of the ship. However, this condition is not related to the size of ships but related to the proportion of power generation. Therefore, the government should develop shore power according to local conditions, and vigorously increase the proportion of clean energy, so that the shore power truly achieve zero carbon emissions.

Logistics Performance Evaluation in West Africa

With containerization and supply chains stimulating global trade each country has to apply measures and new strategies in order to maintain or develop a relevant position in this area. West Africa have now the support and financial power to reach their full potential. By betting in infrastructure reform and resource integration, West African countries might achieve the desired goal of construction, industrialization and a better layout of sea and airports that enables the interconnection of transportation infrastructures. Therefore, this thesis research focuses on the study and optimization of logistics performance evaluation through West Africa. Firstly, evaluating the current status of the logistics system in West Africa. Secondly, since the problem is complex and dynamic, to ensure the evaluation is successful, this research will mainly analyze and focus on the central logistics crossing the West African region; assess the intra-regional logistics systems and develop the logistics systems based on the importance of coastal ports, roads, railways and waterways present in the key geographical points. Lastly, by crossing the actual West African regional statistics with past data and outlooks, a reliable source of information will help establish an optimal futuristic expectation.

The “Jews of Africa”: Comparative Analysis of Scapegoat Politics in Relation to Three Case Studies, Asian Ugandans, South African Indians, and the Jewish People of Europe

ABSTRACT In August 1972, the Ugandan dictator General Idi Amin Dada expelled the 70,000-strong Asian community from the country on charges of economic sabotage, corruption, and refusal to integrate with the majority. The accusations that Asian Ugandans faced at the time were reiterated almost half a century later in South Africa while the country experienced its worst civil conflict since the country’s transition to democracy in the early 1990s. The coastal port of Durban, home to the largest population of Indians outside of India, became the epicentre of the violence and saw ethnic tensions between the Afro-Indian community explode with ferocity as racism reared its ugly head. Amid the violence and in the aftermath of it, strong anti-Indian sentiments characterized the entire narrative of the riots with one distinct characterization that Indians are the “Jew of Africa”. Delving into this indictment, this paper analyzes this claim by exploring discrimination against the Jewish people and comparing this to the “Jews of Africa’s” own predilection. At its crux, the research highlights the dangers of scapegoating.

Accessibility measurement of China's coastal ports from a land-sea coordination perspective - An empirical study

Port accessibility is a key indicator for assessing the location advantage of coastal ports, which can concentratedly reflect the core competitiveness of ports, including the connectivity with hinterland and foreland, as well as the facilitation of land-sea intermodal transport. Therefore, scientific evaluation of port accessibility and precise identification of its internal structure is of great significance for implementing effective measures to enhance port competitiveness. In view of the lack of studies on port accessibility modeling considering land-sea combination, this paper aims to establish a port accessibility analysis framework that can compare hinterland and foreland advantages from the perspective of land-sea coordination. This study used railway freight rate big data for the first time to compare the foreland and hinterland accessibility to ports in a unified analysis and measurement framework based on complex network theory. Using China's coastal ports as a case study, the comprehensive measurement of port accessibility from the perspective of land-sea coordination is presented. The research results show that the proposed accessibility model depicts the essential port accessibility characteristics dominated by freight. The model can also illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of both the foreland and hinterland accessibility of different ports. Furthermore, it can reveal what land and sea strategies are appropriate for regionally competitive ports of different location types and provide a decision-making reference for port authorities.

Efficiency Analysis of the Coastal Port Group in the Yangtze River Delta

In recent years, the coastal ports of the Yangtze River Delta have rapidly developed with the progress of science and technology, which has caused some problems on account of the rapid development of ports. On the one hand, there is fierce competition within the same port group; on the other hand, many ports waste resources. This study selected the three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Malmquist index models to calculate and analyze the efficiency value of the coastal port group in the Yangtze River Delta; the study was conducted to make a reference for the formulation of the optimization strategy from the perspectives of static and dynamic efficiency. The results show that from the perspective of static efficiency, the comprehensive efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta coastal port cluster is at the upper-middle level. However, it has not yet reached the frontier surface, and the low scale efficiency is why the port group has not been called the frontier surface. From the perspective of dynamic efficiency, the total factor productivity of the Yangtze River Delta port group has increased by 3.6% in the past five years. Technological progress and comprehensive technical efficiency have improved. The optimization strategy was formulated according to the problems faced by the Yangtze River Delta port group and the reasons for not reaching the frontier.

Configuration Analysis of Factors Influencing Port Competitiveness of Hinterland Cities under TOE Framework: Evidence from China

Attention is increasingly being paid to the influence of hinterland cities on port competitiveness, but in-depth research is lacking on the formation conditions and mechanism of hinterland cities’ influence on port competitiveness. Based on the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework and the characteristics of Chinese government organizational behavior, in this study, we used fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to conduct a condition configuration analysis of 21 coastal ports and their hinterland cities in China. The findings showed the following: (1) The technology, organization, and environment conditions of hinterland cities cannot provide the necessary conditions for high or low port competitiveness alone: different combinations of these conditions have produced three high and four low port competitiveness configurations. (2) The three configurations of high port competitiveness are the organization–environment, economy–balance, and finance–balance types. Adequate government financial supply, high tertiary industry proportion, good economic development, and market openness are the core conditions required for achieving high port competitiveness. (3) The four configurations of low port competitiveness are finance–facilities–environment, capability–finance–environment, technology–finance–economy, and capability–industry–economy restrictions. Here, low-level innovation capability, inadequate government financial supply, and low tertiary industry proportion are the core conditions leading to low port competitiveness. We revealed the concurrent synergistic effect of the three conditions of technology, organization, and environment in hinterland cities and demonstrated the causal complexity and asymmetry of the impact of hinterland cities on port competitiveness. Our conclusions provide empirical evidence that will aid hinterland cities in formulating differentiated port competitiveness promotion policies according to their own conditions and endowments.

Emission reduction constrained optimal strategy for refrigeration field: A case study of Ningbo in China

With rising demand of refrigeration, the percentage of electricity consumed in refrigeration field keeps growing in the whole society. Meanwhile, environmental issues including climate warming and ozone layer depletion partially caused by emissions from electricity generation sources are becoming major challenges. In view of this fact, it is of great practical significance to promote emission reduction in the refrigeration field. Therefore, this study considers Ningbo in China as a case study to analyze emission reduction-oriented configuration schemes in refrigeration field. Initially, generation resources and energy consumption in Ningbo are examined. As a big coastal port city, Ningbo has a large proportion of secondary and tertiary industries, which consume a huge amount of refrigeration demand. Additionally, in this city, electric air-conditioning is also mainly used for refrigeration. On the other hand, due to favorable environment, Ningbo is suitable for distributed photovoltaic (PV) installation, providing a promising alternative solution for electricity supply in refrigerate field. Moreover, three typical application scenarios of refrigeration in Ningbo are selected and compared, comprising cold store, shopping mall and office building. In these scenarios, possible configuration schemes are presented by installing additional devices including distributed PV generation and energy storage. Afterwards, to optimize the capacity of these devices, a mixed-integer linear programming model is established aiming at minimizing the total investment and operation cost, along with emission in the refrigeration demand. Case study analysis of realistic refrigeration scenarios in Ningbo shows that, proper configuration of distributed PV and multi-type energy storage serve as an effective solution to cost-saving and emission reduction in refrigeration fields. These results provide referential experience for emission reduction and future city development with increasing refrigeration demand.

Evolution of freight spatial pattern of China's coastal ports facing the Polar Silk Road

The Polar Silk Road (PSR) opens up China's maritime trade route through the Arctic to Northwest Europe and influences the cargo transport pattern of China's coastal ports, resulting in changes in the freight spatial pattern of port system. This study uses Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis to predict and analyse the evolution of freight spatial pattern of China's coastal ports facing the PSR. Oil, liquefied natural gas, iron ore, coal, timber and container are selected as important cargos to be studied. Results show that the northern ports have higher attraction potential than the southern ports. All cargos facing the PSR show significant spatial agglomeration characteristics. The local spatial patterns of northern ports tend to change towards high values, whereas the southern ports are the opposite. The Bohai Rim and Yangtze River Delta have a certain hierarchical structure for the PSR. The gravity centre of China's coastal port system is in the northern area facing the PSR, where the comprehensive cargo convergence capacity of large ports in the Bohai Rim is stronger than that in other regions. The role orientation and development prospects of different port freight spaces are classified.

Club convergence and allometry in Chinese mainland coastal container ports

Research on container port development is of great theoretical and practical significance because of the port's crucial role in the local economic system and regional transportation system. Understanding the development dynamics of container ports is important when formulating related operational and management strategies in the future. Hence, this article investigates the club convergence of 25 coastal ports in mainland China spanning from 2006 to 2020 in terms of container throughput, which signals the development of a port to some extent. The study finds three clubs in China's coastal container port system, with various transitional behaviors indicating that the whole system has shown a tendency toward a slight centralization since 2013 and that small and medium-sized ports are regressing. On this basis, analysis on the container port system is conducted by employing an allometric model. The result shows that allometric relations indeed exist not only among three factors linked with port development, namely, port container throughput, port city's import-export volume, and port maritime connectivity, but also among the three port clubs. Moreover, the allometric relations slightly differ and vary over time for the three port clubs, thus implying that large ports may have different growth mechanisms from small and medium-sized ports. Based on the findings mentioned above, several general policy implications are proposed, which may impact port production, construction, and operations management in mainland China.

Research on the Evaluation of Logistics Efficiency in Chinese Coastal Ports Based on the Four-Stage DEA Model

In the context of economic globalization, coastal port logistics has gradually become a focus of economic development, and the proper management of coastal port logistics performance is the main way to realize the high-efficiency operation of coastal ports, drives the direct economic development of the hinterland, and enhances import and export trade market competitiveness. Accordingly, this study was aimed to measure port logistics efficiency and explore its path of improvement for China’s coastal ports during the 2014–2018 period with a four-stage DEA model, including a Tobit model. The results of this study show that most of the coastal ports in China have emphasized their size more than their planning. During the study period, improving road network construction and the economic level in hinterland port cities was conducive to improving port logistics efficiency, but tertiary industry investment and foreign trade levels were negatively correlated with coastal port logistics efficiency.

The Impact of Air Cargo on Regional Economic Development: Evidence from Chinese Cities

This study explored the impact of the air cargo industry on the regional economy by regressing panel data for 91 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2019. By using the total employment and the employment of the 19 sub-industries as indicators of regional economic development, results show that only the growth of employment in the manufacturing sector is significantly and positively associated with the growth of air cargo volume. This study then explores the heterogeneity of the impact of air cargo on manufacturing employment in different types of cities by using a dummy variable interaction term and finds that in terms of the elasticity of growth of air cargo on manufacturing employment, southwest, and northwest regions are significantly higher than other regions, inland cities are significantly higher than coastal port cities, and major gateway cities are significantly lower than non-major gateway cities. Our research shows that air cargo development can lead to manufacturing industry clustering, while air cargo infrastructure development is more important for the economic development of inland regions and secondary gateway cities.