Reconstructing and assessing global maritime transport network: based on the Port Cargo Composite Transport index

Qiqi Zhang, Xiaozhe Hu, Yongshun Xie and Zhenfu Li

Maritime Policy & Management, 2025, vol. 52, issue 5, 723-744

Abstract: Solution to the problem of limited explanatory power of transport economics due to the homogenisation of existing the Global Maritime Transport Network (GMTN) construction indicators. By integrating the Port Cargo Composite Transport (PCCT) index and considering the volume-value mismatch relationship and the type and flow of cargo transported in ports, the GMTN can be reconstructed through a bottom-up logic. Combining the complex network, natural breaks, and point mutual information method with the Leiden and PageRank algorithm, the characteristics of the GMTN were derived from three aspects, i.e. network topology, node characteristics, and inter-node dependency. The GMTN presents the characteristics as follows. Community division presents typical geographical aggregation and industrial complementarity. Node characteristics show the classic phenomenon of rich people’s clubs, with obvious heavy-tailed distribution. Maritime transport linkage preferences present a phenomenon of geographical proximity, and their expansion can clarify the direction of the main links. Enhancing their maritime links will be more targeted to support the transport of trade cargoes. These findings help us to understand the characteristics of the international maritime trade pattern, and provide decision references for industry stakeholders to provide a strategic layout of maritime transport.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/03088839.2024.2385845

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