Article
Port development: from gateways to logistics hubs
Since the UNCTAD three generation port development model was proposed in 1990, changes in technology, working practices and the commercial environment have led to tighter and more sophisticated linkages between service providers, facilitators, operators and end customers. This was explored in more detail in the WORKPORT model which highlighted the way in which ports and the services they provide develop in an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary way. The political dimension can also play a lead role in port evolutionary paths, as the port is often seen both as a vital part of the supply chain and as a natural focus for regional development and employment initiatives. Depending on the type and form of cargo, customer requirements and other factors such as the degree to which ports are tied to a particular distribution channel varies. Ports remain convenient stockholding locations but where they have been made more responsive is in tailoring services to individual customers’ needs, thus becoming more agile