Abstract

Big container terminals are using Terminal Operation Software (TOS) since many years to optimize their terminal traffic. Smaller container terminals are following at a much slower pace, while some terminal operators prefer to develop in-house solutions or use other forms of organization for the terminal operation. Some TOS suppliers are increasing the number of costumers and thus growing their market share. But how big is the market really? And do new companies with new TOS products even have a chance to participate in the market?"br" This research will give general information and latest developments about the current state of the TOS market and about terminals. In a next step, the concept about product lifecycles will be explained to discuss the term “market saturation”, before the size of the market will be evaluated. In the following, the offered volume within the market will be investigated to get to conclusions about the market saturation. The conclusions will be supported by demonstrations of changes in the actual number of TOS providers over the last years.