Containerization in ports of Third-World Asia: an overview of present patterns and the direction of future growth

Although containerization in Third World Asian ports may not conform to the ‘usual’ model of containerization in developed countries the region represents a significant generator of container tonnage. Moreover, despite considerable intra-regional differences in throughput productivities, some of the ports are achieving efficiencies and productivities markedly higher than those in well established ports in Western countries. The region has been characterized, too, by strong patterns of mainline/feeder interdependencies. This paper reviews the status of containerization in Third World Asia and suggests that major changes, reflecting a variety of factors, are likely by 1990.