Port, Harbor & Marine Terminal Management Industry Profile

Companies in this industry operate ports and harbors and provide water transportation support services, including cargo handling and vessel navigation. Major companies include APM Terminals (Netherlands), COSCO Shipping Ports (China), DP World (United Arab Emirates), Hutchison Port Holdings (Hong Kong), and PSA International (Singapore).

Because demand for marine support services is closely tied to the movement of goods, the industry is concentrated in regions with the greatest amount of trade. China, the US, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea have the highest number of large vessel calls.

The US port, harbor, and marine terminal management industry includes about 2,500 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $19 billion. The industry does not include marinas or companies that focus on shipbuilding and repair, which are covered in separate profiles.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by interregional and international trade. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations and reliable service. Large companies, some of which have terminals in dozens of countries, have advantages in capacity and geographic reach. Small companies can compete effectively by serving regional markets or providing specialized services. The US industry is concentrated: the 50 largest firms generate about 70% of industry revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major services include cargo handling (about 55% of US industry revenue); navigational services such as docking and undocking ships and tugboat piloting (20%); and port and harbor operation and maintenance (about 15%). ...