Relationships between ports and cities have dramatically evolved through time. In the first globalization phase, city-systems were characterized by weak inter-urban links based on water roads, and the main gravity centers of the world-economy were seaports. In the second globalization phase, world metropolises were generally served by ports and railways and appeared as gateways connecting different national urban systems. Increasing speed and fleet size generated a retroaction feedback between accessibility and centrality. In the current globalization phase, maritime transport does not play a structuring role for global city networks, as being limited to goods transportation. But stakes remain significant in terms of logistics and hierarchy inside the global hub and spokes organization.