Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spatial and institutional characteristics of inland port development in China

  • Published:
GeoJournal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper examines the spatial and institutional characteristics of the emerging trend of inland port development in China. The paper analyses a sample of 18 major inland ports in three geographical clusters, comparing observed issues with similar developments in Europe, the United States and Africa. It highlights the issues of customs clearance and intermodal transport, before an extended discussion on conflicting models of development based on the priorities of inland and port actors. The aim is first to provide a descriptive account of this development, and second to provide tentative explanations for these results by comparing the findings with similar developments in other countries. This task is aided by use of a conceptual framework drawn from the literature, in which port-driven and inland-driven inland ports are contrasted. Thus a supplementary aim of the paper is to develop the conceptual model of directional development in a new geographical context. Findings reveal the need to align development priorities of central and local governments, as well as clarifying the use of subsidies to a number of different inland ports which may potentially split economies of scale through increased competition for an overlapping hinterland. The paper demonstrates that, while in the past China’s seaports had less inland penetration compared to more mature systems, emerging trends suggest some similarities to patterns observed in more integrated networks such as Europe and North America.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adzigbey, Y., Kunaka, C., & Mitiku, T. N. (2007). Institutional arrangements for transport corridor management in Sub-Saharan Africa. SSATP working paper 86. Washington, DC: World Bank.

  • Arvis, J.-F., Raballand, G., & Marteau, J.-F. (2007). The cost of being landlocked: logistics costs and supply chain reliability. Policy research working paper. Washington, DC: World Bank.

  • Arvis, J.-F., Carruthers, R., Smith, G., & Willoughby, C. (2011). Connecting landlocked developing countries to markets: Trade corridors in the 21st century. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beresford, A. K. C., & Dubey, R. C. (1991). Handbook on the management and operation of dry ports. RDP/LDC/7. Geneva, Switzerland: UNCTAD.

  • Beresford, A., Pettit, S., Xu, Q., & Williams, S. (2012). A study of dry port development in China. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 14(1), 73–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergqvist, R. (2008). Realizing logistics opportunities in a public–private collaborative setting: The story of Skaraborg. Transport Reviews, 28(2), 219–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergqvist, R., Falkemark, G., & Woxenius, J. (2010). Establishing intermodal terminals. World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 3(3), 285–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bichou, K., & Gray, R. (2004). A logistics and supply chain management approach to port performance measurement. Maritime Policy & Management, 31(1), 47–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • China Port and Harbours Association. (2010). Port price study. China Ports, (8), 45–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • China Port and Harbours Association. (2011a). Limitation of railway capacity and challenges in information exchange. Port Container Information (e-magazine), (848), 2. http://www.portcontainer.cn/DocumentMore.do?command=query&jspName=/documentsmore.jsp&moreId=3. Accessed December 15, 2011.

  • China Port and Harbours Association. (2011b). Statistics of railway container transportation in China’s port industry. China Ports, (1), 32.

  • Cullinane, K. P. B., & Wang, Y. (2012). The hierarchical configuration of the container port industry: An application of multiple linkage analysis. Maritime Policy & Management, 39(2), 169–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Langen, P. W. (2008). Ensuring hinterland access: the role of port authorities. Discussion paper. JTRC OECD/ITF 2008-11.

  • FHA. (2010). Freight facts and figures 2010. http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/nat_freight_stats/docs/10factsfigures/pdfs/fff2010_highres.pdf. Accessed February 22, 2011.

  • Fleming, D. K., & Hayuth, Y. (1994). Spatial characteristics of transportation hubs: centrality and intermediacy. Journal of Transport Geography, 2(1), 3–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frémont, A., & Soppé, M. (2007). Northern European range: Shipping line concentration and port hierarchy. In J. Wang, D. Olivier, T. Notteboom, & B. Slack (Eds.), Ports, cities and global supply chains (pp. 105–120). Aldershot: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujin Port Office. (2010). Inland port development in Zhejiang province and its implications to Fujian, Government Research Report, 25 February 2010. http://www.fiet.gov.cn/html/20080425005523/20100225/475181.html. Accessed December 23, 2011.

  • Garnwa, P., Beresford, A., & Pettit, S. (2009). Dry ports: A comparative study of the United Kingdom and Nigeria. In Transport and communications bulletin for Asia and the Pacific No. 78: Development of Dry Ports (pp. 40–56). New York: UNESCAP.

  • General Administration of Customs. (2006). The 43rd announcement from general administration of customs, China. http://www.customs.gov.cn/Default.aspx?TabID=419&InfoID=30836&SettingModuleID=1188. Accessed December 23, 2011.

  • General Administration of Customs. (2010). China customs statistics year book 2010. Beijing: China Customs Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. (2010). Transport geography and new European realities: a critique. Journal of Transport Geography, 18(1), 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanaoka, S., & Regmi, M. B. (2011). Promoting intermodal freight transport through the development of dry ports in Asia: an environmental perspective. IATSS Research, 35(1), 16–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayuth, Y. (2007). Globalisation and the port-urban interface: conflicts and opportunities. In J. Wang, D. Olivier, T. Notteboom, & B. Slack (Eds.), Ports, cities and global supply chains (pp. 141–156). Aldershot: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • He, C., & Wang, J. (2012). Regional and sectoral differences in the spatial restructuring of Chinese manufacturing industries during the post-WTO period. GeoJournal, 77(3), 361–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heaver, T., Meersman, H., Moglia, F., & Van de Voorde, E. (2000). Do mergers and alliances influence European shipping and port competition? Maritime Policy & Management, 27(4), 363–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heaver, T., Meersman, H., & Van de Voorde, E. (2001). Co-operation and competition in international container transport: strategies for ports. Maritime Policy & Management, 28(3), 293–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Konings, J. W. (1996). Integrated centres for the transhipment, storage, collection and distribution of goods. Transport Policy, 3(1), 3–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kunaka, C. (2013). Dry ports and trade logistics in Africa. In R. Bergqvist, K. P. B. Cullinane, & G. Wilmsmeier (Eds.), Dry ports: A global perspective. London: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S.-W., Song, D.-W., & Ducruet, C. (2008). A tale of Asia’s world ports: the spatial evolution in global hub port cities. Geoforum, 39(1), 372–385.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., & Wu, F. (2012). The transformation of regional governance in China: the rescaling of statehood. Progress in Planning, 78(1), 55–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loo, B. P. Y., & Hook, B. (2002). Interplay of international, national and local factors in shaping container port development: a case study of Hong Kong. Transport Reviews, 22(2), 219–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, J., & Chang, Z. (2013). The construction of seamless supply chain network—development of “dry ports” in China. In R. Bergqvist, K. P. B. Cullinane, & G. Wilmsmeier (Eds.), Dry ports: A global perspective. London: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCalla, R. J. (1999). Global change, local pain: intermodal seaport terminals and their service areas. Journal of Transport Geography, 7(4), 247–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MOR (Ministry of Railways). (2008). Mid-to-long-term railway network plan. Beijing: MOR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monios, J. (2011). The role of inland terminal development in the hinterland access strategies of Spanish ports. Research in Transportation Economics, 33(1), 59–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monios, J., & Lambert, B. (2013). Intermodal freight corridor development in the United States. In R. Bergqvist, K. P. B. Cullinane, & G. Wilmsmeier (Eds.), Dry ports: A global perspective. London: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monios, J., & Wilmsmeier, G. (2012). Giving a direction to port regionalisation. Transportation Research Part A: Policy & Practice, 46(10), 1551–1561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nathan Associates. (2011). Corridor diagnostic study of the northern and central corridors of East Africa. Action plan. (Vol 1: main report). Arusha, Tanzania: East African Community.

  • Ng, A. K. Y., & Cetin, I. B. (2012). Locational characteristics of dry ports in developing economies: some lessons from Northern India. Regional Studies, 46(6), 757–773.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng, K. Y. A., & Gujar, G. C. (2009a). The spatial characteristics of inland transport hubs: evidences from Southern India. Journal of Transport Geography, 17(5), 346–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng, A. K. Y., & Gujar, G. C. (2009b). Government policies, efficiency and competitiveness: the case of dry ports in India. Transport Policy, 16(5), 232–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Notteboom, T. (2008). Bundling of freight flows and hinterland network developments. In R. Konings, H. Priemus, & P. Nijkamp (Eds.), The future of intermodal freight transport (pp. 66–88). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Notteboom, T. E., & Rodrigue, J. (2005). Port regionalization: Towards a new phase in port development. Maritime Policy & Management, 32(3), 297–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Notteboom, T., & Rodrigue, J.-P. (2009a). Inland terminals within North American & European Supply Chains. In Transport and communications bulletin for Asia and the Pacific No. 78: development of dry ports (pp. 1–39). New York: UNESCAP.

  • Notteboom, T., & Rodrigue, J.-P. (2009b). The future of containerization: perspectives from maritime and inland freight distribution. GeoJournal, 74(1), 7–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olivier, D., & Slack, B. (2006). Rethinking the port. Environment & Planning A, 38(8), 1409–1427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parola, F., & Sciomachen, A. (2009). Modal split evaluation of a maritime container terminal. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 11(1), 77–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pittman, R. (2004). Chinese railway reform and competition: lessons from the experience in other countries. Journal of Transport Economics & Policy, 38(2), 309–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pittman, R. (2011). Risk-averse restructuring of freight railways in China. Utilities Policy, 19(3), 152–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rimmer, P. J., & Comtois, C. (2009). China’s container-related dynamics, 1990–2005. GeoJournal, 74(1), 35–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, R. (2002). Ports as elements in value-driven chain systems: the new paradigm. Maritime Policy & Management, 29(3), 241–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigue, J. P., Debrie, J., Fremont, A., & Gouvernal, E. (2010). Functions and actors of inland ports: European and North American dynamics. Journal of Transport Geography, 18(4), 519–529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigue, J.-P., & Notteboom, T. (2009). The terminalisation of supply chains: reassessing the role of terminals in port/hinterland logistical relationships. Maritime Policy & Management, 36(2), 165–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigue, J.-P., & Notteboom, T. (2010). Comparative North American and European gateway logistics: The regionalism of freight distribution. Journal of Transport Geography, 18(4), 497–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigue, J.-P., & Notteboom, T. (2011). Looking inside the box: Evidence from the containerization of commodities and the cold chain. Paper presented at the European conference on shipping and ports, Chios Greece, June 2011.

  • Rong, Z., & Bouf, D. (2005). How can competition be introduced into Chinese railways? Transport Policy, 12(4), 345–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roso, V., Woxenius, J., & Lumsden, K. (2009). The dry port concept: connecting container seaports with the hinterland. Journal of Transport Geography, 17(5), 338–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi, L.-P. (2009). Analysis on the Strategies of Tianjin’s Waterless Port Construction. Logistics Sci-Tech, 32(10), 19–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slack, B. (2007). The terminalisation of seaports. In J. Wang, D. Olivier, T. Notteboom, & B. Slack (Eds.), Ports, cities and global supply chains (pp. 41–50). Aldershot: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slack, B., & Wang, J. J. (2002). The challenge of peripheral ports: an Asian perspective. GeoJournal, 56(2), 159–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theofanis, S., & Boile, M. (2009). Empty marine container logistics: facts, issues and management strategies. GeoJournal, 74(1), 51–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Klink, H. A., & van den Berg, G. C. (1998). Gateways and Intermodalism. Journal of Transport Geography, 6(1), 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veenstra, A., Zuidwijk, R., & van Asperen, E. (2012). The extended gate concept for container terminals: Expanding the notion of dry ports. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 14(1), 14–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. J., Rong, C., Xu, J., & Or, S. W. O. (2012). The funding of hierarchical railway development in China. Research in Transportation Economics, 35(1), 26–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilmsmeier, G., Monios, J., & Lambert, B. (2011). The directional development of intermodal freight corridors in relation to inland terminals. Journal of Transport Geography, 19(6), 1379–1386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (2009). Tracks from the past, transport for the future: China’s Railway Industry 1990–2008 and its future plans and possibilities. Beijing: Transport Coordinator, China Country Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J. H., & Nash, C. (2000). Railway reform in China. Transport Reviews, 29(1), 25–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie, R., Chen, H., & Nash, C. (2002). Migration of railway freight transport from command economy to market economy: the case of China. Transport Reviews, 22(2), 159–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK

    Jason Monios & Yuhong Wang

Authors
  1. Jason Monios
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuhong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jason Monios.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Monios, J., Wang, Y. Spatial and institutional characteristics of inland port development in China. GeoJournal 78, 897–913 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-013-9473-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-013-9473-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation