ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the role of techniques, system innovations and technology policies in relation to shipping and ports. It sketches the historical context of technology development and provides an overview of the various streams of analysis from the classical approach towards the development of the present innovation theories and concepts. The chapter presents a classification for innovations in ports, shipping and supply chains. It describes the cases of the Dutch Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) research agenda and synchromodal transport. It is stated that governments can play a crucial role in the development and implementation of innovations in the port and shipping sector. The relationship between firms and the government is becoming an increasingly dominant phenomenon for transport technology development, and this is also reflected in the technology policy of governments; there is substantial literature on the extent, motives and process of technological collaboration.
