Conception of Flexible Port and Its Connotation

TLDR: Flexible port is a port that can have a quick response to the changes of transportation markets, provide agile diverse service of high-quality and promote seamless link in supply chains as discussed by the authors.

Abstract: Modern port development characters such as cooperation and competition,regionalization,lean and agility are analyzed,the conception of flexible port is proposed and the details of its connotation is studied.Flexible port is a port that can have a quick response to the changes of transportation markets, provide agile diverse service of high-quality and promote seamless link in supply chains.The connotation of flexible port can be understood in the three layers,i.e.strategic flexibility,structural flexibility and operational flexibility.The every layer as a component in the whole flexibility system responds to market change individually,interrelates and interacts each other.The suggestion is given that in the process of establishing flexible development strategy ports should start from flexibility connotation to analyze market environment,to study positioning and to implement development countermeasures with a certain goal.