RETRACTED: A Container Port Choice Model for Pearl River Delta Region in South China (Retracted Article)

During the past decades, the Pearl River Delta region in South China has saw the busiest container traffic in the world. The dynamics of container routing via different ports have been changing significantly in the past decades. Quantification of the effects and the dynamics of different determinants in port choice behavior are important to the improvement of the service level of individual ports, the assessment of potential logistic infrastructure, and the overall improvement of logistic network in the whole region. In this paper, a container port choice model in the Pearl River Delta region was established. Three main port choice determinants were considered. With the established port choice model, future market share of different ports in the region is forecasted. Furthermore, the effect of the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau Bridge, which will commence operation in 2016 was also evaluated in the port choice model. On the contrary to general belief, it was found that the bridge will not help Hong Kong Port to obtain more containerized cargo from west PRD region because the additional trucking route on the bridge will not significantly reduce the general cost of Hong Kong Port. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.