Port Logistics and Hinterland Development

Abstract In recent years, the inland component of the port system has become a key factor in shaping performance and competitive strategies of seaports. Physical and capacity constraints at berths, along with the trend of optimization and standardization of quayside operations, suggest that more focus must be placed on land‐interface logistics operations. On the one hand, the increase in trade volumes and the emergence of new distribution patterns mean that the demand on port seashore infrastructure (and the immediate land behind it) is nearing capacity, hence the need to expand landwise to accommodate future volume growth and logistics‐driven capacity requirements. On the other hand, reported inefficiencies in ports indicate that landside logistics operations are far behind their optimal efficiency, with most observed malfunctions (unproductive moves, congestions, delays, etc.) taking place at inland and intermodal port interfaces.