Port-routeing decision making

Willingale, Malcolm Christopher (1982) Port-routeing decision making. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

This thesis examines the development of a pattern of short-sea shipping service routeings during the period 1970 to 1980. It is undertaken from the viewpoint of the primary users of port terminal facilities (the shipping lines) so as to contribute to the present understanding of the seaport development process, and in the light of the progression of mainstream industrial location analysis with which a number of analogies are drawn. The basis of study is a series of in-depth interviews with senior executives from those ship operating companies to have experienced a major port routeing in the recent pest. Each decision examined - as part of new service establishment - is set within a broader understanding of the business environment of shipping operations which forms the historical study context. Overall, the study demonstrates the benefits to be derived from a macro and micro level (i.e., individual port/operator) examination of port routeing as well as the integration of the two main aspects of locational behaviour - port selection procedure and locational preference. In doing so models of both the service establishment decision-making process and port selection procedures are presented. These display similarities to models previously derived from mainstream studies of industrial location within the manufacturing sector. A detailed assessment of the fourteen factors comprising ship operator preference is also provided. This reveals the primary significance of the limited availability of berth/terminal facilities in port choice; a factor of important bearing upon any future planning of seaport development. Suggested avenues of further research are made.

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