Port Hinterland Analysis

Abstract

This thesis assesses and compares the hinterlands of six major ports in China based on road and rail accessibility. Road and rail travel distances and times from the ports to inland cities in China are obtained and travel time contours are developed accordingly. Port hinterland is refered to as areas that are served by a port, and its size differs by transport mode. In this thesis, hinterland based on road trucking and railway transport are analyzed separately. In addition, GDP and population data are used to measure and analyse the ports¿ hinterland coverage in economic and demographic terms. Furthermore, gravity model is utilized to assess ports¿ hinterland with and without considering port interaction respective. Overall, the model produces results that are consistent to reality in defining the size of port hinterland.