Are port success driven by trade, location or services?

Abstract

This paper will look at the past literature that studies port success. Focus is given to the perspective and factor of trade affecting the performance and success level of a port. The absence of comparing between the three factors (Trade, geographical location & services) as drivers behind a port’s level of success thus led to us to research and seek to understand out of the three factors, which is the most important factor that affects the success and performance of a port. Case studies and exploratory interviews are conducted to further seek and comprehend the factors, and industry players are interviewed so as to best understand what people in the different sectors of the industry (providers & consumers) are looking for and at when it comes to a port. Results are then analysed from the different perspectives, and further cross comparisons are made between the three factors. The common consensus after the interviews and case studies was that trade was the biggest factor that drives the level of port success, closely tied with geographical location, and services was more of a differentiating factor when the first two are in place and further enhances the success level of the port.