Regional Share in the Terminal Portfolio of the Twelve Largest Global Terminal Operators (Hectares, 2010)

A way to look at the transnational nature of container terminal operators is to assess the regional orientation of each holding. Global container terminal operators show varying degrees of involvement in the main cargo handling markets around the world. The above Figure reveals a substantial geographical diversity of terminal assets among two groups; the four major holdings and the smaller terminal operators. DP World and APM Terminals have the most diversified portfolio of terminals in terms of geographical spread and can thus be considered the most “global” of the global terminal operators. However, a level of regional orientation is already evident at this level. APM Terminals does not have a presence in Australia, while DP World has only a very small presence in North America (CenTerm in Vancouver). PSA has no direct presence in North America, but has Latin American assets, as well as HPH.

Both HPH and PSA seem to prefer the control of large terminal facilities since terminal operations is the core of their activities. They were actively involved in the development of large export-oriented port facilities in Pacific Asia. APM Terminals tends to have comparatively smaller terminals, underlining a strategy leaning more on global market coverage to support its sister shipping company Maersk Line. DP World has also a small hectare portfolio comparatively to its sizable number of terminals in which it has the largest equity; its largest terminals are in its home base in the United Arab Emirates. This underlines an aggressive growth strategy aimed at acquiring existing terminal assets, many of which in lower volume markets having a strong growth potential (e.g. the Mediterranean, South Asia and the Middle East). The strong global character of the largest operators is a bit in contrast with the regional orientation of smaller holding companies. Two in particular, Ports America and Eurogate, are strictly regional operators. Others are embarking into a substantial transnational strategy, mostly by securing concessions at smaller terminals.

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