Title: Shipping agents and container management: an exploratory analysis of infrastructural and cost concerns

Authors: Pilar González-Torre; Joseph Sarkis; Belarmino Adenso-Díaz

Addresses: Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Gijón, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus de Viesques, 33204 – Gijón, Asturias, Spain ' Graduate School of Management, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MAD160-1477, USA ' Escuela Politécnica Superior de Ingeniería de Gijón, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus de Viesques, 33204 – Gijón, Asturias, Spain

Abstract: Globalisation and the maritime transport boom that has been occurring since the 1980s have increased regional interest in the maritime logistics chain. A critical aspect of this chain is the management of transport containers. Transport container handling within the chain may be completed in numerous ways including the use of shipping agents. Shipping agent management has seen very little research with virtually no substantive studies. The goal of this research work is to study the fundamental characteristics of shipping agents (the representatives of shipping companies at ports) through an operations strategy alignment and strategic contingency theory lens. Using the Spanish maritime shipping industry as the basis of this study, a cluster analysis is presented to help identify the groupings and characteristics of shipping agents. The primary dimensions of the clusters will be based on cost and infrastructural capacity. The cluster analysis provides the foundation for further investigation of shipping agent operational performance and characteristics. The study shows that shipping agents may be classified into four major groups. Marketing and operational implications for both shipping agents and shippers, and the management of shipping containers are introduced.

Keywords: clustering; maritime transport; transport containers; transport logistics; cost management; operations strategy; strategic contingency theory; shipping agents; container management; infrastructure capacity; maritime logistics; maritime supply chains; container handling; shipping agent management; cluster analysis; Spain; marketing; operational performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2013.054193

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2013 Vol.5 No.3, pp.322 - 349

Received: 17 Apr 2012
Accepted: 20 Mar 2013
Published online: 28 Feb 2014 *

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