Geography and Regional Planning

Geography and Regional Planning

Geopolitical Conceptualization of Port Competition

Document Type : Basic scientific-research articles

Authors
Mohammadreza Hafeznia 1
Mostafa Ghaderi Hajat 2
Homayoun Abdi 3
Alireza Reyhani 3
1 Full Professor, Department of Political Geography, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Geography, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
3 Ph.D. Student, Department of Political Geography, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jgeoq.2024.440438.4087
Abstract
Seashores are highly valued as a meeting point between land and sea worldwide. Coastal areas are often referred to as economic gateways to international markets and are considered the frontline of economic prosperity. They are also seen as the entry point for development into previously underdeveloped areas. Despite their great distance from the geographical center of the mainland, the port functions and spatial effectiveness of ports can help to balance this. It is important to maintain a clear and concise writing style, avoiding sprawling descriptions and complex terminology. Ports are considered geostrategic places and supplements that increase the national power of countries. Nowadays, the development of ports and port competition has become a topic of interest in geopolitical studies. Using the descriptive-analytical approach, this article seeks to explain the concept of port competition and its dimensions. The findings of the article show that ports are exposed to geopolitical competition, which affects the global power network. In other words, the geopolitical role of ports is reflected in the global power structure with competitive functions. As a result, ports are constantly interconnected with their territorial neighbours and if possible to influence the process of competition and the positive continuation of this influence, they lead to the promotion of the port's position and the expansion of the sphere of influence.
Keywords
Port areas
competition
port
port competition
geopolitics of ports
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