In the current adverse economic environment, container lines strive to cut costs and secure cash flows in order to remain solvent. A number of container lines have invested in container terminals whose divestment could be an opportunity to raise finance. Here we consider whether a short-term...

Each sea route is different and will demand a different solution to ensure customer acceptance, commercial viability, effective integration, and compliance with regulatory requirements. In seeking to investigate the feasibility of any fast ship route, a holistic appraisal must therefore...

This paper outlines the various models of port administration, analyses the first sales of trust ports in the UK under the Ports Act 1991, considers the issue of competition in the ports industry, and reviews ports privatisation practice internationally. The paper agues that: the method of sale...

Traditionally, maritime economists, ports and shipping lines have considered container transhipment to be more expensive than direct call services, mainly by virtue of the extra feeder costs and container lift charges involved. This seems contrary to ongoing industry developments, with...

Japan has one of the world’s largest networks of remote island liner services. As with other remote island lifeline services, operators face similar problems such as traffic imbalances, seasonality, and inadequate fare levels. Many of these liner operations, and hence the communities they...

The role of the private sector has expanded significantly in many important economic sectors over recent decades. Ports have not been immune from this advance, and many ports around the world have benefited from private sector intervention. This paper considers objectives commonly associated...

The aim of maritime policy is to achieve continued trade development and hence economic growth while ensuring seas and coastal areas are adequately protected. Historically, many policy decisions, not least with regard to maritime transport, were arrived at from a top-down approach. However,...