Shipping agents and container management: an exploratory analysis of infrastructural and cost concerns

Globalisation and the maritime transport boom that has been occurring since the 1980s have increased regional interest in the maritime logistics chain. A critical aspect of this chain is the management of transport containers. Transport container handling within the chain may be completed in numerous ways including the use of shipping agents. Shipping agent management has seen very little research with virtually no substantive studies. The goal of this research work is to study the fundamental characteristics of shipping agents (the representatives of shipping companies at ports) through an operations strategy alignment and strategic contingency theory lens. Using the Spanish maritime shipping industry as the basis of this study, a cluster analysis is presented to help identify the groupings and characteristics of shipping agents. The primary dimensions of the clusters will be based on cost and infrastructural capacity. The cluster analysis provides the foundation for further investigation of shipping agent operational performance and characteristics. The study shows that shipping agents may be classified into four major groups. Marketing and operational implications for both shipping agents and shippers, and the management of shipping containers are introduced.