Container Transport Network for Sustainable Development in South Korea

Kevin X. Li, Tae-Joon Park, Paul Tae-Woo Lee, Heather McLaughlin and Wenming Shi
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Kevin X. Li: Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
Tae-Joon Park: Department of Business Administration, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
Paul Tae-Woo Lee: Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
Heather McLaughlin: Faculty of Business and Law, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5DL, UK
Wenming Shi: Maritime and Logistics Management, Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania, Launceston TAS 7250, Australia

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: The ever-increasing tendency toward economic globalization highlights the importance of sustainable container transport networks to a country’s international trade, especially for an economy that is highly dependent on exports. This paper aims to develop a transport network connectivity index (TNCI) to measure the container transport connectivity from a multi-modal perspective. The proposed index is based on both graph theory and economics, considering transport infrastructure and capacity, cargo flow, and capacity utilization. Using the case of South Korea as an example, we apply the TNCI to assess the connectivity of the Busan, Gwangyang, and Incheon ports, representing approximately 96% of the container throughput in South Korea. The calculated TNCI not only provides insight into the assessment of sustainable port competitiveness, it also helps policymakers identify bottlenecks in multi-modal transport networks. To eliminate these bottlenecks, this paper offers some appropriate measures and specific strategies for port development, which in turn improves the connectivity of container transport networks for sustainable development.

Keywords: sustainable container transport; multi-modal transport; graph theory; port management information system; shipping policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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