Author(s)

E. Musso, C. Ferrari & M. Benacchio

Abstract

Co-operation has always marked out the liner sector, even in a variety of forms. Nowadays it arouses a wide interest as a consequence of (i) the increase in ships' size, (11) the falling down of liner freight rates, and (Hi) the lesser role of Conference agreements. The privatisation of port terminals enhanced co- operation also in this industry. The paper aims at analysing the different economic background of both market frameworks, liners and ports. In the latter, actually, co-operation is strictly depending on equity holding. The main and evident effect of co-operation is concentration (in terms of slot supply, on the liner side, and boxes handled, on terminal side). The work focuses on the increase in market concentration, not necessarily affecting competition amon

Keywords