Good knowledge of transport economics on a global scale.

Moreover students must be able to confront own ideas and opinions in an interactive way and in the framework of a scientific debate.

The course follows a multi-perspective approach, including the points of view of shipping companies, governments, port authorities and operators, as well as that of all relevant public and private organisations and firms, hence, integrating the interest of shippers and/or customers. During most lectures time will be available for project or teamwork, but nevertheless students are expected to demonstrate that they are able to use conceptual thinking skills.

- full awareness of interrelations and the interconnectivity between main tendencies and evolutions

- capable to formulate policy relevant propositions and or actions with respect to ineffective situations in the field of maritime freight mobility based upon theoretical and practical methodologies and insights

- ready to take work out new technological and or socially relevant tendencies concepts

- ready to consider both the macro- and micro-economic consequences of various actions in the maritime industry, including the global environmental issues in the field of the ocean going shipping industry.

This course aims to observe, to analyse and to (re)consider most important and recent developments in the maritime industry with a clear focus on shipping activities in a global context. Shipping - especially the ocean-freight industry – together with world seaports is contributing substantially to the economic development of countries in the world.
A wise saying states e.g.:
 
“Transport is civilisation and waterborne transportation the basic ingredient
 helping mankind to attain prosperity in freedom” (dixit Hendrik De Zwijger)
 
As such the conditions for attaining economic efficiency in the maritime industry and the business alike deserve to be examined in depth. One and another implies that full attention is to be paid at a myriad of inter-related micro- and macro-economic aspects and subjects.
 
Following key topics are to be dealt within the framework of maritime economics, including managerial issues as well:
§  Main characteristics and meaning of various principal types of sea-going vessels;
§  The issue of innovation in the maritime industry;
§  The structure of  world maritime trade and the world fleet: the value of maritime statistics in search of improving operating performances, defining optimal ship sizes, etc;
§  The organisation of world shipping: framework, market, players, structure, demand/supply, etc;
§  Strategies for survival for liner companies. Has the abolition of Conference affected anything?
§  Pricing: freight rates and charging principles in global shipping;
§  Maritime economics and policy with respect to developing modern public strategies for a maritime transport system;
§  Maritime transport policies with respect to subsidisation, flagging out, flags of convenience, etc;
§  The impact of changes in organizational structures within the shipping market;
§  The maritime financial world, espescially regarding shipbuilding and ship operations;
§  Competition in the field of shipping: role and function of chartering, ship brokerage, etc;
§  Maritime logistics and inter-modality: What is really happening in Global Shipping today? What does the future hold? 
 

• STOPFORD, M. (2008), Maritime Economics, Routledge, London, 3rd edition

• NOTTEBOOM, T., WINKELMANS W. (2004), Strategic issues for the port and shipping industry in a changing foreland-hinterland continuum: quo vadis? In: Workshop Industrial Organization of Shipping and Ports, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, 2004, s.l., 2004.
• PEETERS, C., WEBERS, H. (2003), The Dutch Maritime Cluster: Monitor and Dynamics, Delft University Press, Delft
• WINKELMANS, W. (1999), "The issue of shipping and port management in the 21st century", in the proceedings of VIII. Congreso de trafico Maritimo y Manipulacion Portuaria, Libro de Ponencias, pp. 7-28, Algeciras, November 1999.
• BUTTON, K. (2005), Shipping economics; where we are and looking ahead from an institutional perspective, Maritime Policy and Management, 32:1 (2005), p39-58.
• Journals and Magazines
  • Maritime Policy & Management
  • Maritime Economics & Logistics
  • Lloyd's Shipping Economist
  • International Journal of Transport Economics
  • Containerisation International

• Prof. Willy Winkelmans - ITMMA House,  Kipdorp 59, 2000 Antwerpen - 03 265 51 44