Developing dry ports by the use of value-added services

The growing containerized sea transport causes a demand for improved efficiency and increased capacity in the transit through the seaports as well as in transport to and from the seaports hinterland. To stimulate the development of those seamless intermodal transport chains the concept of dry ports has been established. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how value added services can support the development of a conventional inland terminal into a dry port and how an existing dry port can be further developed by the use of value added services. This conceptual paper combines literature from the field of dry ports with literature addressing value added services; with data obtained through interviews with actors in the transport system. The conclusions indicate that the development of dry ports and their viability depend on different value added services being available at the dry port, once the infrastructure and basic services are in place. Furthermore the availability of value added services may increase the dry port’s attractiveness. This paper provides a platform for further research on importance of value added services for dry port’s development