THINKING GLOBAL ACTING LOCAL; OUR AFFINITY WITH PORTSIMPROVING GLOBAL LOGISTICS ONE PORT AT A TIMEAs a result of the Institute’s research, it has become clear that the Port Authority is best placed to act as champion and orchestrator within the global supply chain system.
A whole series of changes in the field of world economics, such as the globalisation of production and consumption and the structural changes in inter-port relations, port-hinterland relationships and logistics, have strengthened the role of ports as nodes within the global transport system. In addition to this, the Port Authority has a natural access to all stakeholders and information necessary for the Port Authority to perform this role as champion.
Historically ports were measured on their ability to accommodate ships and other modes of transport effectively and efficiently. Contemporary developments in transportation, however, dictate that emphasis has shifted to the ability of ports to fulfil new roles in the logistics era within the context of operating as part of an integrated global supply chain system.
The role of modern seaports involves integration into the supply chain, and fulfilling this role means greater ability of the port to satisfy customers and achieve its objectives. In this role, the port is considered as part of a cluster of organizations in which different logistics and transport operators are involved in bringing value to the final consumers.
In order to be successful, such channels need to achieve a higher degree of coordination and cooperation. The determination of the parameters that encompass the extent of integration of ports/terminals in global supply chains has, therefore, become of great importance for ports.