Modular gateway-ness connectivity and structural core organization in maritime network science

Mengqiao Xu (), Qian Pan, Alessandro Muscoloni, Haoxiang Xia () and Carlo Vittorio Cannistraci ()
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Mengqiao Xu: Dalian University of Technology
Qian Pan: Dalian University of Technology
Alessandro Muscoloni: Biomedical Cybernetics Group, Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD), Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life (PoL), Department of Physics, Technische Universität Dresden. Tatzberg 47/49
Haoxiang Xia: Dalian University of Technology
Carlo Vittorio Cannistraci: Biomedical Cybernetics Group, Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD), Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life (PoL), Department of Physics, Technische Universität Dresden. Tatzberg 47/49

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Around 80% of global trade by volume is transported by sea, and thus the maritime transportation system is fundamental to the world economy. To better exploit new international shipping routes, we need to understand the current ones and their complex systems association with international trade. We investigate the structure of the global liner shipping network (GLSN), finding it is an economic small-world network with a trade-off between high transportation efficiency and low wiring cost. To enhance understanding of this trade-off, we examine the modular segregation of the GLSN; we study provincial-, connector-hub ports and propose the definition of gateway-hub ports, using three respective structural measures. The gateway-hub structural-core organization seems a salient property of the GLSN, which proves importantly associated to network integration and function in realizing the cargo transportation of international trade. This finding offers new insights into the GLSN’s structural organization complexity and its relevance to international trade.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16619-5

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