Source: Notteboom, T. and J-P Rodrigue (2005) "Port Regionalization: Towards a New Phase in Port Development", Maritime Policy and Management, Vol. 32, No. 3, pp. 297-313.

The Spatial Development of a Port System

A port system is defined as a group of ports sharing similar geographic characteristic such as a coastline, a bay and to some extent serving overlapping hinterland regions. In its spatial development a port system would evolve from an initial pattern of scattered, poorly connected ports along the coastline (Phase 1; mid 19th century) to a main network consisting of corridors between gateway ports and major hinterland centers (Phase 4; 1980s). Models on port system development did not explain the recent rise of new hub terminals and did not incorporate inland freight distribution centers and terminals as active nodes in shaping load centre development. This led to two extensions to the model:

• The first extension (Phase 5; late 1980s - early 1990s) encompasses the explicit integration of transshipment hubs. They tend to have greater depth since they were built recently in view to accommodate modern containership drafts, placing them at a technical advantage. Increasing volumes as such can lead to an increasing segmentation in liner service networks and a hierarchy in hubs (both ‘offshore’ and ‘mainland’).
• The second extension (Phase 5; from the late 1990s) relates to the incorporation of inland freight distribution centers and terminals as active nodes in shaping load centre development. The port regionalization phase is characterized by strong functional interdependency and even joint development of a specific load centre and (selected) multimodal logistics platforms in its hinterland, ultimately leading to the formation of a regional load centre network.