Strengthening the Competitiveness of Local and Regional Aproduction Clusters Through Efficient Interfaces to Ports and Intermodal Solution Exploitation in the Mediterranean Basin

AbstractThe role of the Mediterranean ports was modified during the centuries and from regional export gateways established to serve the local trade needs, were transformed into hubs of global logistic chains. This situation held down local production, regional social contexts, developmental opportunities, reducing local competitiveness and increasing production and distribution costs in a very difficult – due to the financial crisis- period. The scope of this paper is to examine how the Mediterranean ports can support the local production clusters development. The cases of two Greek ports are examined focusing on their accessibility and centrality towards the main local production centres within their catchment areas as well as their ability to serve the local markets needs. It also examines the attractiveness of intermodal solutions versus the currently preferred road transport in selected macrocorridors within the Mediterranean and the requirements that ports should comply with in order to efficiently serve regional development and local markets expansion