Asia/Pacific News
"Super Shipping Cities" Seen in Industry's Future
The world's network of ports is moving toward the development of two or three "shipping super cities" that will act as shipping services hubs for their regions, Martin Stopford, president of Clarkson Research Services Ltd, told an audience in Singapore recently, industry news site Seatrade Global reports.
While other port cities will retain a role in the shipping economy, Stopford said one city in each eight-hour timezone—Asia, Europe, and the Americas—is likely to emerge with a central place in the industry.
He said tax and regulatory policies are likely to help determine which cities fill the role.
While some port cities such as Rotterdam and Shanghai focus specifically on moving cargo, Stopford said the "super cities" are more likely to emerge in places like Singapore or London that put more emphasis on serving the international shipping industry.
In Asia, Singapore has made progress toward growing its stature in the international maritime industry over the past decade, but Hong Kong has increased its focus on becoming a hub for shipping services recently with the creation of a new inter-departmental body.
