A Study on the Factors Influencing on the Formation of Cooperation Between Ports-Focusing on Container Terminals-

Abstract

Currently, shipping and port industries are mainly concerned with securing a competitive advantage through scale expansion. Reflecting this trend, domestic ports and container terminals also emphasize efficiency through dock integration. This study identified factors that facilitate cooperation between container terminal operators, as the smallest unit of port operation, and analyzed their effects. These factors included sharing of resources, clarity of purpose, mutual trust, and influence of government policies. In addition, factors related to effectiveness included operational effectiveness of the terminal, improved service to shippers and shipping companies, and bargaining power with the government. The empirical analysis revealed that, among the factors that facilitate cooperation, sharing and purpose affected operational effectiveness, while sharing of resources affected service improvement of shippers and shipping companies. Finally, policy factors affected port bargaining power.