ABSTRACT
This chapter looks for instance, how trans-shipment development in the Mediterranean, as a strategic decision taken by shipping companies, is going to change the competitive position of many maritime terminals in that area dramatically. Terminals which are currently called by direct services are likely to become feeder ports and vice versa. There is sometimes very little in this development which can be strictly linked to port competitiveness; rather, port competitiveness turns out to depend on maritime strategies. It examines the effect of such changes with respect to the Trieste container terminal. First, a likely definition of 'market' for a container terminal is introduced and is applied to the Trieste port. Then it is shown how Trieste's competitive position is likely to change as trans-shipment continues to develop in the Mediterranean. Finally, some policy proposals are put forward as to how the competitive position of Trieste could be enhanced.
