Evaluating Determinants of Effective Port-Hinterland Connectivity in Shanghai Ports

The development of globalization has caused sea transport to be incorporated into global logistics supply chains. With the hinterland being a key portion of the global supply chain, it has an increasingly close connection with container ports. Notwithstanding the hinterland’s importance for the development of the container port, extant studies overlooked the determinants of port hinterland connectivity. Therefore, this study firstly identifies the main factors that influence port hinterland connectivity from prior studies, and is followed by collecting data from port-related logistics companies in Shanghai ports through questionnaires. After presenting an overview of questionnaire results, this study then discusses the findings by employing an Importance-Performance Analysis. It indicates that Shanghai container ports should concentrate on the punctuality of hinterland transportation and regional accessibility. It is also implied that it should maintain work with government support, in terms of both policy and finance. There are some factors that are suggested to pay lower priority to or even possibly overkill, such as value-added services. Additionally, Shanghai container ports are far more suited to employ a strategy of dry port rather than port-centric logistics.