A Cross-National Analysis of the Correlated Network Structure of Marine Transportation in the Indian Ocean Rim Association

Abstract

Taking the countries within Indian Ocean Rim Association as the research objects, this paper analyzes the network pattern of shipping alliance consisting of 21 member countries from 2006 to 2016 through the Circos Graphical Model. The results indicate that the countries with strong position in the shipping field spread out dense network, especially playing a boosting role to lead those with relative low position. The association of maritime transportation in the alliance is transformed from marine correlation between close range and small scope group to the regional broad trading association. The gap of maritime transportation between different countries has gradually narrowed, and the marine transport network with uniform and dense coverage has gradually formed. All these suggest that the countries of the vulnerable group in IOR-ARC are supposed to transform the old preference of internal shipping in close and small group into long-distance association. In the contemporary days, it is necessary for low-level nations to improve the construction level of port facilities while high-level countries should make full usage of the “Network Sprawl” opportunities to strengthen the tightness of connectivity.