ABSTRACT

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book situates intermodal transport and logistics within the wider context of port geography and draws the literature to provide a brief analysis of how the European and North American case studies compared to the geographies of intermodal freight transport across continents. It identifies the challenges to the port's ability to capture or control hinterlands through the strategies of integration that might be expected in an ideal port regionalisation scenario. The book discusses some recent research on the institutional adaptations of port actors as a result of these challenges, and identifies directions for future research. It reviews for disaggregation of the factors that challenge or enable port regionalisation processes, comparing the institutional models of ports and other stakeholders. The book presents the cases which identifies potential barriers that may prevent ports controlling or capturing hinterlands through the strategies of integration.