Competition analysis of main container terminals in the Middle East region

ABSTRACT The Middle East region (ME) is a strategically located shipping hub on the world's leading trading route connecting East and West. This research paper investigates whether the defined market conduct tends towards monopoly or strong and perfect competition. K firm Concentration ratio (KCR), Hirschman-Herfindahl index (HHI), Boston Consultancy Group (BCG) matrix) and Shift-Share Analysis were used to analyze market conduct and movement over a 15-year period (2004-2018). The market concentration of 12 selected container terminals in the M E region was evaluated. Findings revealed that by 2018, the HHI had decreased to (649.81), indicating an increase in competition among market participants, indicating that inter-terminal competition between terminals understudy has improved and that the market is steadily moving towards pure competition. True evidence given by container throughput data from major container ports in the ME region indicates that Jebel Ali, Suez Canal Container Terminal, and King Abdullah were foremost beneficiaries of inter-port competition in the region over the specified period. The developed frameworkcan be used as an assessment tool to evaluate the competition level of container terminals in other regions. It can also help decision-makers to assist in their strategic development plans.