This article gives us an interesting example of a firm that operates ports in a manner that improves the entire supply chain. They have invested in inland warehouses and even in the train that runs from Germany to China. It shows that supply chains operate at very long distances, and ports need to look at these as opportunities rather than something that should be ignored. in the modern world there is no reason why investments and operating divisions can’t function at very long distances from home. and this is where the competition of the future will be.
http://www.shippingtribune.com/significant-increase-in-sales-revenue-and-profits-for-duisport-group/
European port operation companies seem to be leading the way in this long range development. It’s surprising that American ports haven’t adopted similar strategies.