PhD dissertation on “Market structure in the Container Liner Shipping Industry: An analysis of the maritime network, port efficiency and competition”

PhD dissertation: “Market structure in the Container Liner Shipping Industry: An analysis of the maritime network, port efficiency and competition”

Supervisors: Thomas Vallée (University of Nantes), Kang Sovannara (National University of Management) and Yves Perraudeau (University of Nantes/ Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, Cambodia)

PhD defense in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 29 September 2018

Members of the Jury (left to right):  Yves Perraudeau(University of Nantes/MoEYS), Thomas Vallée (University of Nantes), Dewah Ahsan (University of Southern Denmark),  Ruth Banomyong (Thammasat Business School), Marc Bidan (University of Nantes), Murat Yıldızoğlu (Université de Bordeaux), Ly Sok Heng (National University of Management), Bunnak Poch (National University of Management), Kang Saovannara (National University of Management)

Abstract

This dissertation aims to analyze the structure and the evolution of the Container Liner Shipping Industry by paying particular attention to the maritime integration of ASEAN member states. The factors behind freight rates, maritime connectivity, port efficiency and competition on maritime routes are the central topics of research. Methodological tools such as Markov-Switching Vector Autoregressive Approach, Graph Theory, Data Envelopment Analysis, as well as Principle Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis are employed. The findings from the research show that between 2003 and 2017 three economic cycles occurred and that fleet development had the most profound negative impact on freight rates. The Network Analysis of 153 ports confirms a hub-and-spoke nature of the shipping network. The study illustrates that port rankings change according to different centrality measures. It also demonstrates that ASEAN member states form a cluster of interconnected ports, and their shipping network has the same features as the intra-regional country exports. To complete the analysis of ASEAN maritime integration, this research outlines the most efficient ports within the community and the optimum container handling capacity. Competition on maritime routes, with respect to the country and region of origin and the destination, is also evaluated by highlighting the most concentrated routes in terms of number of competing firms. Moreover, the findings of this dissertation provide key answers to understanding how the industry is organized at global and regional levels, and the extent of maritime integration of the ASEAN region within the global supply chain.

You can download the PhD dissertation by following this hyperlink

This  research has been supported by the DOCKSIDE project.