ABSTRACT
Ports are the oldest logistics centers in international trade and have always been economic powerhouses in transport systems. Already in the 18th century, the grandfather of modern economics, Adam Smith, was referring to seashores and riverbanks as poles of economic wealth, as their openness allowed them to establish trade relationships with the rest of the world. In the course of time, ports have developed as major logistic magnets generating trade and transport connections all over the world. In addition, consequently, many port areas laid the foundation for an increase in welfare, not only for the direct urban or industrial areas concerned, but also for the hinterlands connected with these areas, and for all other places served by these ports. Over the course of time, port areas have become hotspots of economic activity. The ports’ history, culture and economy
originate predominantly from their adjacent oceans, seas, lakes and rivers. They acted as (centripetal and centrifugal) transportation hubs that favored openness in trade in a global economy. They were also often the scene of socio-economic inequality, with a strong tension between white-collar managers (‘barons’) and blue-collar workers. Especially with the advent of the Industrial Revolution (mid-19th century), ports became symbols of a new industrial age, thanks to advanced steamships, large-scale shipyards, etc.
