Mega-trends in shipping and port its implication

摘要

This paper aims to understand and analyze the mega-trends such as trends towards larger vessels due to an increasing trade volume, accordingly fewer port calls and strategic alliances and M&A, port development plan in the world. Increasing degree of concentration through M&A activities in shipping industry results in a decreasing number of shipping firms with an increasing share in the world capacity. But competition is strongly increasing on main trunk routes. Shipping concentration directly leads to further concentration of port traffic in fewer and larger ports increasing competition among neighboring ports. Some questions are suggested at the end of this paper.