An Approach to the Hub-and-Spoke Systems from SVARs Models. A Practical Application to Container Traffic between the Port of Bahía de Algeciras and Other Ports of the Spanish Port System (Bahía de Cádiz and Las Palmas)

Abstract

The hub-and-spoke systems are frequently connected with maritime, air and road transport. The international container traffic in maritime transport is developed under this model. For a port to achieve a “Hub Status” in maritime container transport, its traffic should exceed 1,000,000 tons per year and be provided with the necessary equipment to use simultaneously three post-panamax cranes for a new-generation vessel. Huge container vessels dock only at Hub ports and international shipping companies transfer their containers from these ports to their round the world and feeder ¹ lines.

It is known that feeder vessels are used for the transport of containers from or to minor ports which are not served by the huge vessels pertaining to the round the world lines, and make only intermediate stops at the large transoceanic stations. Since feeder vessels operate mainly in small ports with less gauge, these usually have a lower capacity, between 500 and 700 tons, although some may reach 1,500 tons. In contrast with the huge container vessels and, in view of the limited provision of mobile facilities in the small ports where they operate, the vessels are indeed provided with their own loading and unloading means; they usually have two cranes located in the middle-line or on the port side of the vessel.