PORT SYSTEM COMPETITIVENESS IN SOUTHERN ITALY: PRESENT SCENARIO AND FORECAST

The analysis was carried out in the present study on the set of the main southern direct call and transhipment ports (Naples, Salerno, Taranto, Gioia Tauro, Palermo and Cagliari), wherein during the period the highest volume of containerized traffic at a regional level is recorded. The aim of the analysis was to investigate the degree of correlation existing between the demand of TEU and the significant variables identified, such as the regional GNP, the imports through maritime transport mode, exports through maritime transport mode and sector added value per unit of work. The variables selected are in fact representative of the regional and sector levels of income and production (regional GDP, added value per employee), and the globalization processes of the production and liberalization of maritime exchanges (import-export flows) which, in bringing about the growth in flows of international commerce, generate an increase in the containerized traffic flow.