ABSTRACT
Theroleandsignificanceofportshaschangeddramaticallyduring thepastdecadeandtodaytheyhaveamuchhigherprofileboth economicallyandtechnicallyinmaritimeandinternationaltrade. Notonlyistheportalinkintheinternationaltransportchain,but alsomanyofthemajorportssuchasRotterdam,Singaporeand HongKonghavebecometradingcentres.