Speaker
Description
In recent decades, the container terminal industry has experienced a significant increase in equity cooperative agreements among Terminal Operating Companies (TOCs), liner shipping operators, and transport chain operators. This development has led to a complex network of relationships that impacts national and international port-level competition. This study focuses on Italian container ports and analyzes the evolution of TOC networks at three time points (2011, 2015, and 2021) to investigate their effects on intra-port competition.
The analysis covers 25 TOCs and 191 actors, employing network statistics, visualizations, and a Stochastic Actor-oriented Model to assess the dynamics of equity partnerships—creation, maintenance, and dissolution—considering endogenous and exogenous factors such as vertical and horizontal integration, similarity in activities, and geographic distance.
The findings indicate that a few leading TOCs have increased equity ties pursuing vertical integration strategies, significantly affecting competition within Italian ports. Network visualizations highlight emerging patterns and hidden relationships, offering an innovative tool for Port Authorities and European and national policymakers to monitor potential anti-competitive behavior and monopolistic positions.
This study advances the understanding of TOC strategic behavior in the domestic market and presents a novel methodological approach to analyze competitive dynamics in container terminal management. The research aligns with European Commission policies promoting fair competition and sustainable port development.
Keywords/Topics
equity partnerships;
international competition;
SAOM
