Inter-Port Evolutions and Prospects of Three Major Port Hubs in Europe: a Visualization Perspective Using Ternary Diagram Method

In the recent decade, increasing vessel sizes, infrastructure developments, intermodal connections, and digital transformation again have raised questions about the development of container ports. This transformation is expected to continue to affect the port industry in the future. While the Port of Rotterdam is the busiest container port in Europe, its top-ranking place is under pressure, and competition between the top three ports has become fiercer. This contribution provides insights into the concentration, inequality and competition evolution of Europe’s top three ports through several measurement methods and the ternary diagram. Several measurement methods are used to report the concentration, inequality, and competition of these ports. The study confirms that ternary diagram indicators and traditional measures reveal similar results. Findings also suggest that no port has a dominating position in this competitive port system, and these ports are engaging in efficient competition. SSA analysis indicates that the Port of Hamburg is the major loser in the last two periods; the Port of Rotterdam and Port of Antwerp are the major winners respectively in the last two periods. Moreover, the prospects are salient for a tendency towards concentration and inequality. The findings of the study provide insights and visualizations for policymakers, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of the development and prospects of the three major port hubs in Europe.