Abstract

Would improvements in port performance increase trade in countries on the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans? Previous studies attempted to answer this question using ad hoc measures of port efficiency that do not control for the actual use of port assets or measures that can be very noisy. To avoid these problems, this paper builds a measure of economic efficiency based on the use of port inputs to deliver port output. Using data envelop analysis, it ranks countries on the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans in terms of their port efficiency, and assesses the effect of increased efficiency. It finds that becoming as efficient as the country with the most efficient port sector would reduce their average maritime transport costs by up to 14 percent and increase their exports by up to 2.2 percent. Document type: Book

Abstract

Agriculture remains an important economic sector in Africa, employing a large share of the labor force and earning foreign exchange. Among others, transport connectivity has long been a crucial constraint in Africa. In theory, railways have a particularly important role to play in shipping freight and passengers at low cost. However, most African railways were in virtual bankruptcy by the 1990s. Using a large sample of data comprised of more than 190,000 households over eight years in Ethiopia, the paper estimates the impacts of rail transport on agricultural production. Methodologically, the paper takes advantage of the historical event that a major rail line connecting the country to the regional hub, the Port of Djibouti, was abandoned in the 2000s. With spatially highly disaggregated fixed effects and instrumental variables incorporated, an agricultural production function is estimated. The elasticity with respect to port connectivity is estimated at 0.276. The use of fertilizer is also found to increase with transport cost reduction, supporting the fact that a large amount of fertilizer is imported to Ethiopia. Document type: Book

Abstract

In 2016 the Government of Egypt (GoE) has embarked on an ambitious and much needed transition towards a better economic policy. While the macroeconomic stability and market confidence have been largely restored, the overall fiscal situation remains challenging. With limited fiscal space, solely relying on public resources to fund infrastructure investments, will no longer be a viable strategy to meet the country's needs. Building on the success of attracting private investment in renewables and natural gas sector, there is significant potential for replicating the success across other infrastructure sectors. Egypt has recognized that in order to raise competitiveness, increase investments in human capital, and sustain the benefits of the homegrown reform; it will need to continuously shift its development model towards creating an enabling environment for the private sector to invest more, export more and generate more jobs. Starting with Energy, Transport, Water and Sanitation and Agriculture, this report highlights the tremendous potential and opportunities available in each of these sectors. Additionally, it also presents a roadmap for sectoral transformation, whilst highlighting the cross-cutting enabling and functional activities required to facilitate this transition.

Abstract

The intent of the two competitive cities case studies is to highlight what institutions and strategies successful cities have relied on to spur economic development, under what conditions such success has occurred, and what lessons of this experience might be applicable to decision makers in other cities. This research was prepared by the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) under the auspices of the Social, Urban, Rural, and Resilience Global of the World Bank Group. Its objective is to create a knowledge base on what makes cities competitive, understand job creation at the city level, and capture the unique development experience of Japan for broad dissemination to development practitioners, government officials, academia and the private sector. The team would like to gratefully acknowledge the Government of Japan and its continued support of the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) program.

Abstract

En el contexto de un proceso de concesiones portuarias paralizado y de un debate acerca de la conveniencia de retomarlo, este estudio evalúa el desempeño del terminal de Matarani, administrado desde 1999 por la empresa Terminal Internacional del Sur S.A. (TISUR), y único puerto peruano entregado en concesión hasta el momento. El objetivo es evaluar las características del proceso de concesión, estimar su impacto en la economía e identificar las implicancias de entregar en concesión otros puertos del país. Con este fin, se analizó el modelo utilizado para introducir la participación privada, se examinó si existe evidencia de una mejor operación del puerto con la concesión y se estimó el impacto sobre el bienestar de cada grupo involucrado. Los resultados revelan que la concesión tuvo un efecto positivo neto sobre el bienestar, estimado en 47,7 millones de soles. El principal beneficiado habría sido el Gobierno, que a pesar de perder los flujos resultantes de la operación de la infraestructura, ha resultado más que compensado por otros efectos: el pago inicial, la retribución, la tasa regulatoria y una mayor recaudación. En segundo lugar, los consumidores, quienes reciben una tercera parte de este cambio en el bienestar y, por último, el concesionario. Los grupos perjudicados serían los trabajadores y el grupo de usuarios intermedios.

Abstract

La presente tesis lleva a cabo un análisis empírico y económico de la infraestructura portuaria a través de la evaluación de políticas específicas. En primer lugar, la tesis se centra en cuantificar el impacto económico de la infraestructura portuaria sobre la industria. En segundo lugar, se mide el efecto de la competencia portuaria y su efecto sobre la demanda del tráfico. Finalmente, la tesis se centra en la evaluación de las políticas regulatoria de precios y su relevancia sobre el tráfico y los ingresos portuarios. The present thesis carries out an empirical and economic analysis of the port infrastructure across the evaluation of specific policies. First, the thesis focuses on quantifying the economic impact of the port infrastructure on the industry. Secondly, there measures up the effect of the port competition and his effect on the demand of the traffic. Finally, the thesis focuses on the regulative evaluation of the policies of prices and his relevancy on the traffic and the port income.

Abstract

The refrigerated (‘reefer’) container market and cold logistics chains creates opportunities as well as challenges for seaports. This high-value market grows rapidly, but places stringent demands on seaports’ logistics processes, infrastructure, and energy provision. This study addresses the question how port authorities address the challenges and in this dynamic market environment. While previous research has outlined developments in port governance paradigms and the strategic scope of port authorities, the academic literature still lacks a comprehensive understanding of the policy options available to port authorities to respond to arising challenges and opportunities. To provide this missing understanding, this study presents a new dataset of policies, implemented by world’s 50 largest container ports, addressing reefer transportation and cold chain logistics. Policy measures are classified according to content, goals and scope. The findings from this worldwide comparative analysis illustrate that port authorities often pursue policies extending far beyond their traditional ‘landlord’ responsibility. Most commonly still, the scope of port policy is limited to the port cluster, where ports (co)-invest in or aim for cluster formation around cold stores. When a port extends its strategic scope towards its foreland or hinterland, this is usually aligned with policy goals formulated at higher levels of governance, such as modal shift goals or the development of domestic post-harvest distribution systems. There is however little evidence of coherent and comprehensive cold chain strategies, addressing the logistics, marketing, technology, and sustainability dimensions. The paper outlines the general tenets such a strategy should contain as a consideration for policymakers.

Abstract

In this paper we analyse the intermodal connectivity in Europe. The empirical analysis is to our knowledge the first empirical analysis of intermodal connections, and is based on a comprehensive database of intermodal connections in Europe. The paper focuses on rail and barge services, as they are the backbone of intermodal freight transport chains. The empirical analysis reveals that rail and barge are complementary, in the sense that the number of overlapping origin-destination pairs is limited and barge connections are across relatively short distances, while rail generally is used for larger transport distances. In addition the lowest transport distances of rail and barge services are relatively low. Services over short distances are feasible, especially between ports and for mountain crossings. For port-to- hinterland services, various services cover distances below 100 km. This paper provides a first indication (albeit no conclusive evidence) that a higher competition intensity between rail operators in a port may lower the distance of the shortest rail service. The analysis also reveals service frequencies are on average very substantial: around four services per week. These frequencies diminish with the distance of the service. These insights are valuable for companies involved in developing new services and provide a basis for further research.