Port integration in a region with multiport gateways in the context of industrial transformation and upgrading of the port

Port integration in a region with multiport gateways (R-MPG) is studied in the case when port supply surpasses shipping demand. First, the feasible paths for ports with overcapacity to transform and upgrade their industry are analyzed. Second, a method for determining the optimal scale of port clusters is put forth based on a continuous approximation approach. Then, a multi-period integration decision model and port integration method is proposed. Finally, two typical R-MPGs in China are used for empirical studies.