RATIONALIZATION AND DECONCENTRATION OF THE U.S. CONTAINER PORT SYSTEM

Abstract

The recent development of intermodal transportation and the relaxation of U.S. transport regulations have encouraged ocean carriers to rationalize their port schedules. Container shipping is therefore believed to concentrate shipping at a few large ports. Port traffic analysis, using the Lorenz Curve and Gini Coefficient, reveals, nevertheless, that the structure of the U.S. port system is actually becoming less concentrated. The challenge of secondary ports and changes in the transportation system explain this deconcentration.

Key Words:

• load center
• containerization
• intermodal transportation
• ports