Concentration in liner shipping: its causes and impacts for ports and shipping services in developing regions

摘要: Abstract Concentration in liner shipping means that relatively larger companies are increasing their market share at the expense of remaining smaller players. Although this process is not new, it has gained strength and particularly affecting ports services developing regions. Because trade growing as a proportion world GDP, governments international organizations attach an priority to improving services. This leads deregulation, which, together with technological advances, increases incentives for form alliances merge. Another cause concentration change, which led increase fixed costs total average costs. optimum unit sizes vessels, ports, companies, turn reduces number participants long-term equilibrium. To analyse impacts these trends, document examines following issues: extent economies scale being realized; possible declines companies' profits; danger overcapacity; fluctuations freight-rates; alliances; expansion east-west carriers into north-south markets; trans-shipped containers; trans-shipment centres; options small operators; benefits importers, exporters consumers; implications regulatory bodies. The presents generally positive picture. word might initially raise issues abuse power monopoly rents, but exporters, consumers, major all likely gain from described process. ones most lose traditional companies. It would, however, be costly misconception competition if public sector tried protect players its consequences.