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A systemic analysis of container terminal layouts

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  • Jean-Paul Rodrigue

    (Texas A&M University)

Abstract

The paper provides a systemic analysis of the layout characteristics of a geodatabase comprised of a large sample of 331 global container terminals. Despite the propensity towards terminal standardization that can be expected from containerization, container terminals demonstrate a substantial diversity in measurable attributes such as perimeter, terminal surface, yard surface, and berth length. This is mainly attributed to site characteristics constraining terminal design and operations with clusters arranged along terminal rectangularity level. A further observation concerns the propensity of container terminals to be oriented longitudinally. Geographical factors remain important, including whether the terminal design is a reconversion of an older facility, an adaptation to specific site constraints, or a new land reclamation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2025. "A systemic analysis of container terminal layouts," Journal of Shipping and Trade, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:josatr:v:10:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s41072-025-00194-3
    DOI: 10.1186/s41072-025-00194-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guerrero, David & Rodrigue, Jean-Paul, 2014. "The waves of containerization: shifts in global maritime transportation," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 151-164.
    2. Debjit Roy & René De Koster & René Bekker, 2020. "Modeling and Design of Container Terminal Operations," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 68(3), pages 686-715, May.
    3. Amir Gharehgozli & Nima Zaerpour & Rene Koster, 2020. "Container terminal layout design: transition and future," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 22(4), pages 610-639, December.
    4. Geraldine Knatz & Theo Notteboom & Athanasios A. Pallis, 2022. "Container terminal automation: revealing distinctive terminal characteristics and operating parameters," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 24(3), pages 537-565, September.
    5. Cullinane, Kevin & Wang, Teng-Fei & Song, Dong-Wook & Ji, Ping, 2006. "The technical efficiency of container ports: Comparing data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 40(4), pages 354-374, May.
    6. Theo Notteboom & Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2012. "The corporate geography of global container terminal operators," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(3), pages 249-279, May.
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