Global maritime transport and logistics: Recent developments and implications for Asian container ports

Globalisation and transport revolution, logistics integration and the consequent expansion of port area and hinterland in the maritime industry have redefined the functional role of ports in global logistics and supply chains and have generated a new pattern of freight distribution. The rapidly increasing world trade in the last decade has brought about a new round of port (especially, container port) development and caused the restructuring of the world port network as well as more intensive inter-and intra-port competition. This phenomenon again requires a new approach towards port development and related planning. This paper aims at, in a holistic way, providing an overview of the recent developments in maritime transport and logistics in the global scale and discussing strategic implications for the container port industry in the Asian context.