Rethinking value to business in a ports' changing environment

The Flexible Port

Ports are beset with many uncertainties about their futures. They are confronted with new demands in terms of functions and scales, new external constraints, and changed expectations. The inability to adequately meet these demands can mean costly adaptations for a port, or loss of cargo and competitive position. A plausible reason is that the...

Flexibility in port infrastructures

Sustainability as a procurement criterion for port investments

Ports are known to be one of the most polluting sectors, and therefore provide an opportunity to reduce emission significantly. Until now, the attention has been given to reduction of emissions in transport and shipping. The scope of research must expand to include port infrastructures, which should be made more sustainable. In many industries,...

Role of Flexibility in Sustainable Port Development

Sustainability has become a high profile objective in all aspects of our lives, including the development of our infrastructures. Flexibility can enhance sustainability endeavors, yet its contribution is not clear to most. In this paper we investigate the role of flexibility in sustainable port development in order to promote its incorporation...

Multi-functional use of port areas

The core business of a port is handling vessels and cargo. In addition a landlord Port Authority invests in development of port areas. However, in view of the new trends such as stakeholders interests related to environment and sustainability, it is can be wise to reexamine the business portfolio periodically. This applies especially if an...

Ports and innovation

A volatile environment, dynamic markets, and challenges created by new environmental and social consideration demand innovative solutions. Innovation is the implementation of ideas to create value. It promises ports resilience into the future. In this paper we trace some recent successful innovations in the Port of Rotterdam, and also...

Quay wall design for an uncertain future

The importance of incorporating flexibility and adaptability in infrastructure is being increasingly recognized. Flexibility in infrastructure can prolong their economic lifetime by enabling them to adapt to the changed requirements. The objective of this paper is to examine if it is possible to incorporate flexibility in port infrastructure...

Flexibility in port infrastructure

The present volatile environment continues to place new functional requirements on port infrastructure. As a result, the useful life of port infrastructure has reduced in recent years. Flexibility in infrastructure makes it possible to adapt them for new or changed use. The use of flexible and sustainable solutions infrastructures needs to be...

Flexibility in Port Planning and Design

Recently, flexibility has received much attention from port researchers, designers, and managers. This is because the stability of the competitive environment of the past has been replaced by increasing uncertainty. The current economic crisis and the recent trends in ports and shipping sectors are causing port planners to rethink their approach...

Future Scenarios: Implications for Port Planning

The evolving function of a port, and the many logistical, technological and economic uncertainties under which it must operate, make the planning and design of these complex socio-technical infrastructures very challenging. A Master Plan of a port is the instrument by which the port’s (expansion) strategy in the market place is defined....