Maritime transport, especially containerisation, has made a major contribution to globalisation and to the geography of globalisation. Maritime networks are also shaping the geography of the world by accentuating inequalities between different parts of the world, in particular in terms of accessibility. Since the 1970s, East Asia has gradually emerged as the new centre of gravity of the global maritime system, instead of Northern America and Europe.
Key global players dominate the maritime industry: container carriers, freight forwarders, terminal handling operators, shippers, ports and inland carriers. They have played a crucial role in the establishment of the container networks, which are shaping the geography of the world.
But after more than 50 years of a booming situation, the shipping industry is perhaps at a turning point of its history. The context is not anymore, the same and two factors can be considered very sensitive for the future of maritime transportation in Europe. On the one hand, the ability of European society to move towards new, more sustainable models at a technological, environmental, social and productive level. So, the European maritime sector, must face major environmental challenges, even though the major technological breakthroughs are still very uncertain in terms of decarbonising maritime transport. On the other one, the geopolitical and global growth context is today moving forcing the European ports to adapt.
Finally, yet importantly, the shipping industry has dramatically changed over the past decade. The oligopolistic situation has crucial consequences for port competition but also for inland services to major cities and hinterlands.
This session will therefore examine the future of maritime transport in Europe in relation to globalisation and the ability of shipping industry to reshape Europe and its geography as has happened in the past.
Proposals are thus welcome on the following themes:
– The interactions between the evolution of international trade and shipping. The consequences of these evolutions Europe.
– The evolution of maritime networks and the interactions between these networks and the geography of globalisation,
– The evolution of the role of ports in maritime networks and the reconfiguration or otherwise of maritime ranges in Europe,
– The evolution of the hinterland service in relation to the geography of the European metropolises,
– The capacity of the European maritime system to respond to environmental challenges and the possible consequences on maritime services. The session will consist of presentations in English.

Arnaud Serry (1)
(1) University Le Havre Normandie

 
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