Shipping Companies Strategies and Mediterannean Ports Competitiveness

SHIPPING COMPANIES STRATEGIES AND MEDITERRANEAN PORTS COMPETITIVENESS CAZZANIGA FRANCESETTI Dionisia Associated Professor Department of Economics University of Pisa Faculty of Computer Science Corso Italia, 40 I - 56124 Pisa – Italy dcf@di.unipi.it telephone: +39 050 887001 telefax: +30 050 887226 FOSCHI Alga Danila Assistant professor Department of Economics University of Pisa Faculty of Economics Via Ridolfi, 10 I 56124 Pisa - Italy alga.foschi@ec.unipi.it telephone: + 39 050 945331 telefax: +39 050 598040 mobile:+39 0338 1447149 Abstract1 The object of this paper is to explore the attractiveness of Mediterranean ports and their potential activity as gateway-terminals and hub ports, particularly in terms of the wealth of the surrounding regions. There is recognition that: • the liner shipping market has acquired a truly global dimension; • liner shipping companies have consolidated their position; • for liner shipping companies the Mediterranean is no longer a simple linking channel but instead a strategic localization for transshipment. The globalisation and concentration of the liner shipping industry is strongly emphasized. The phenomenon of consolidation is also producing a visible dimensional increase among leading forwarders and logistics providers. While shipping companies control maritime legs, forward providers control inland legs and they are joining forces to master a larger market. However, this development is not yet observed in the Mediterranean zone, although the Mediterranean offers great potential for container throughput. Key words: containers, ports, Mediterranean competitiveness, hub - spokes, transshipment, intermodal.

1 Although the paper has to be considered as result of common elaboration, the sections can be attributed as specified in the following: Dionisia Cazzaniga Francesetti wrote 4, 5, 6, 7 and Alga D. Foschi wrote 1, 2, 3. Financial support by MURST (Ricerca d'Ateneo ex 60%) is gratefully acknowledged.

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