The contribution of Coastal Shipping in the Regional Development of the Greek Islands. The Case of the Southern Aegean Region

The current article examines the interdependent relationship between the Greek coastal shipping system and the economic development of the Greek regions, with emphasis on the Southern Aegean islands. The methodology that is followed is based on the hypothesis that regional development is the balanced economic development of the remote island regions, as well as the Greek mainland. Available data on development of the Southern Aegean region, point to two basic sectors of economic development, the tertiary and secondary sectors, with tourism being the most important leverage of economic development. The transport sector is an important production factor since it ensures the functioning of the supply chain and the distribution of the tourism product. At the same time the isolation and the geographical distribution of the island regions demands the existence of a continuous and unbreakable communication between the island regions and the Greek mainland. Coastal shipping constitutes the most important means of transporting goods, and the primary means with over 70%, of passenger transportation. Therefore the proportional relationship between coastal shipping and the regional development of the Southern Aegean islands becomes evident

Financial Crisis & Passenger Shipping: Evidence from Greece

The world financial crisis has resulted in the slowdown of Greek economy leading to the recession of certain sectors, like Passenger Shipping. Factors, such as the decrease of private consumption and GDP, have negatively influenced Passenger Shipping, resulting in the reduction not only of the relevant demand, but also of the sector's financial results. The paper examines the current situation of Greek Passenger Shipping during this "crisis" period. Financial analysis of the sector has indicated that companies face many problems; annual turnover decreases, reduced profit margins and deteriorating liquidity ratios, while the relevant financial ratios are worse than the corresponding ones of the Greek Economy on average. Considering the role of passenger shipping in combination with the particularity of the Greek insular area (many islands connected primarily with mainland and among them through sea transport), the paper examines and evaluates possible solutions, in order for the passenger companies to survive and keep providing their vital services

The effect of freight transport time changes on the performance of manufacturing companies

Freight Transport Time (FTT) is an important resource for manufacturing companies, firstly as a cost driver of logistics processes and secondly as a key factor of customer satisfaction. Yet, there is a lot of controversy between researchers regarding the strength of the link between changes in transport time and business performance and the methods used to measure this effect. In this context, the aim of this paper is to estimate the effect that changes in freight transport time have on the economic performance of transport consuming manufacturing companies. With the use of System Dynamics Modelling a simulation model is built identifying the role of FTT in the internal supply chain of a Make to Stock manufacturer. Changes in FTT are introduced in the system affecting the production materials inventory replenishment time and the delivery to consumer time. Simulation results suggest that the effect of FTT changes depend highly on the structure of the company’s decision making process. Through the development and simulation of several scenarios it is evident that information feedback about changes in FTT if interpreted and processed by different decision rules and strategies can lead to different results allowing companies to fruitfully - or not - reap the benefits of improved FTT.peer-reviewe

The effect of freight transport time changes on the performance of manufacturing companies

Freight Transport Time (FTT) is an important resource for manufacturing companies, firstly as a cost driver of logistics processes and secondly as a key factor of customer satisfaction. Yet, there is a lot of controversy between researchers regarding the strength of the link between changes in transport time and business performance and the methods used to measure this effect. In this context, the aim of this paper is to estimate the effect that changes in freight transport time have on the economic performance of transport consuming manufacturing companies. With the use of System Dynamics Modelling a simulation model is built identifying the role of FTT in the internal supply chain of a Make to Stock manufacturer. Changes in FTT are introduced in the system affecting the production materials inventory replenishment time and the delivery to consumer time. Simulation results suggest that the effect of FTT changes depend highly on the structure of the company’s decision making process. Through the development and simulation of several scenarios it is evident that information feedback about changes in FTT if interpreted and processed by different decision rules and strategies can lead to different results allowing companies to fruitfully - or not - reap the benefits of improved FTT.peer-reviewe

Investment Evaluation of a Suburban Coastal Transport System

This paper aims at determining the optimum viable solution of an investment on a suburban coastal shipping system in the area of Athens. More specifically the development of a sea transport system, alternative to the existing road one, that connects Piraeus with the southern suburban coastal area of Athens is examined. The best viable solution of such an undertaking is considered to be the one, which under the existing constraints maximises the total profit that derives from this investment. The variables used for the formation of the constraints are the number of vessels used, the routing and the price of the services. The article focuses on the financing alternatives of the project and their impact on its economic efficiency and concludes with the best viable scenarios and optimum solution

Exploring Operational problems of the goods supply chain in the Greek islands: Towards a reengineering of the system

identifying the problems of the current transport system. This concern stands within the framework of the European Union for the optimization of door to door transport chains in Europe. In discovering and identifying the weaknesses of the current system, first there is a reference to the special character of the Greek market consisting of numerous islands. Data is included regarding the current transportation system, the fleets and the goods transferred and also the weaknesses and drawbacks observed in the current transport chain. Taking the above observations and the gathered data into consideration, the paper ends with some conclusions and brainstorming with regard to the redesign and reengineering of the system that will allow for a door to door supply chain in this sensitive region for the Greek economy

The Development of Short Sea Shipping in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Towards a Rational E.U. Freight Transport Policy

The rise in worldwide goods transport is an important factor in the increase of national GDP’s, but at the same time it poses serious threats in terms of the quality of life, mainly regarding the population in developed countries, who are however the main beneficiaries of the resulting economic growth. The E.U. has long now taken steps towards the protection of the environment and more generally in the direction of ameliorating the negative side effects stemming from the transport system. Policies to further promote short sea shipping may be viewed as an important element on the road to the development of East Mediterranean nations and the outlook for the coming decades, is that Short Sea Shipping may become the prevailing mode for freight transport in the region. An aid to this trend is the observed rapid development of Southeastern European nations and the subsequent appearance of new economic hubs

Freight Rate Volatility and Vessels Size in Tankers’ Sector

This current dissertation deals with freight rate volatility in tankers’ sector. This sector, like other sectors in shipping industry consists of four markets. Three of them refer to vessels and one refers to freight rates. Consequently, based on shipping industry circumstances and on general circumstances in the economy, freight rates level is characterized by some volatility which varies according to vessels size and whether freight is traded on spot market or on time-charter market. This paper investigates the tanker sector and whether the volatility of freight differentiated between markets and between different ship sizes. Moreover, seasonality is studied together with the effect of the global economic crisis in the volatility of freight rates

The Role of the Corinth Canal In the Development of the S.E. European Short Sea Shipping

This paper aims at identifying the role of the Corinth Canal in the development of the short sea shipping transport system of the southeastern. Europe. The Corinth Canal, which construction was completed in the 19th century is considered to be one of the biggest technical undertakings in Greece. It serves the sea transport of goods as well as human mobility in a national but also in an international scale. The canal can operate as a node of the transport network of Greece and also of the short sea shipping system of the southeast Europe. This is due to the important advantage of faster and safest sea route that the canal offers for the transportation between the ports of the Black Sea and Eastern Europe with those of the West Greece, Ionian Sea and the greater region of Central Europe. In order for the Corinth Canal to adjust to the ongoing developments and trends that have to do with the promotion of environmentally friendly means of transport, the integration of the different modes of transport and the establishment of a single intermodal transport network, its management has to proceed to the development and materialization of a suitable policy. The paper includes the findings of a survey conducted for the Corinth Canal authorities and concludes with certain propositions so as the Canal can revitalize and upgrade its position in the short sea shipping network of the S.E. Europe

The contribution of Coastal Shipping in the Regional Development of the Greek Islands. The Case of the Southern Aegean Region

The current article examines the interdependent relationship between the Greek coastal shipping system and the economic development of the Greek regions, with emphasis on the Southern Aegean islands. The methodology that is followed is based on the hypothesis that regional development is the balanced economic development of the remote island regions, as well as the Greek mainland. Available data on development of the Southern Aegean region, point to two basic sectors of economic development, the tertiary and secondary sectors, with tourism being the most important leverage of economic development. The transport sector is an important production factor since it ensures the functioning of the supply chain and the distribution of the tourism product. At the same time the isolation and the geographical distribution of the island regions demands the existence of a continuous and unbreakable communication between the island regions and the Greek mainland. Coastal shipping constitutes the most important means of transporting goods, and the primary means with over 70%, of passenger transportation. Therefore the proportional relationship between coastal shipping and the regional development of the Southern Aegean islands becomes evident