The Research On Agglomeration Economies Of The Port Group

As of now, ports are considered as significant facilities in international business and critical nodes in transportation logistic network. It plays a unique role in economy ranging from a coastal city even to a country. The development of port group is based on the size and function of individual ports, technological level as well as collecting and distributing conditions. As a geographical cluster, port group has generated greater economic agglomeration effect with the constant changes in its scope and size.Numerous ports are located in coastal areas of China. Port groups of coastal ports showcase distinctive features of port group. To establish an all-dimensional, multi-functional and highly competitive regional port group in China’s coastal areas, it is necessary to promote effective integration, overall planning and regional cooperation in these ports, fully utilize their advantages, clearly categorize their port levels, distinguish and optimize different functions of hub ports, feed ports and branch ports, establish a sound environment of competition and cooperation for coastal port groups and play a proper role in economic agglomeration.Therefore, based on agglomeration economics theory, the essay will explore the economic agglomeration effect of port groups according to the changes of port size and port scope. First, the author will present the connotations of port and port group, elaborate the causes of port agglomeration from perspectives of global economic integration and local economic development and expound the manifestations of the economic agglomeration effect caused by port clustering. Then, the essay will analyze the current situation and trend of the development of typical port groups home and abroad. Based on agglomeration economics, economics software and Carlino model will be built to analyze the chosen indicators. The essay will take the coastal port groups of China and East Coast port groups of America as examples to analyze the economic agglomeration effect. The findings indicate that port groups always show economic agglomeration effect to some degree, regardless of time dimension and space dimension. Moreover, the economic agglomeration will be intensified with the enlargement of port size and port scope. Finally, suggestions for the development of China’s coastal port groups will be proposed.