The speed of trade. Empirical analysis of vessel voyage and turnaround times across world container ports (1977-2016)
Abstract
This paper investigates for the first time the evolution of inter-port and intra-port vessel movements across ports of the world during the last four decades. Based on the Lloyd’s List database covering 4 complete months a year, and providing dates of departure and arrival on a daily basis for the whole world fleet of fully cellular container vessels, we measure the average time that ships stay at or voyage between ports around the world. We also map with a dedicated Geographical Information System (GIS) the evolution of inter- and intra-port times showing the regionalism of discrepancies between routes and nodes in the global liner shipping network. Although the world average exhibits a constant decrease of movements’ speed at ports and on the sea, certain regions are more or less efficient in travelling and handling containers. We conclude to a subtle mix between technological change, territorial influence, and wider economic forces driving such results and discuss further research pathways.
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