Assessing the impact of major infrastructure projects on port choice decision: The Colombian case

Developing adequate port infrastructure, improving port efficiency and other logistical improvements have a significant influence on the port choice decision. Then, identifying the most influential attributes considered by exporters and importers when choosing a port is crucial when planning major infrastructure projects. This paper evaluates the port choice decision when competition between ports exists by using several data sources, including the official records of imports and exports in Colombia. Results show that the cost of port access, the frequency of maritime lines, maritime freight rates, maritime travel time, origin or destination and the type of cargo, play a key role in the port selection process. Major infrastructure projects influence port choice mainly through their impact on perceived costs. Policies and strategies aimed to improve the efficiency of a port's operation and their levels of service, such as increasing the frequencies of lines or decreasing maritime freight and transit times, could have a substantial impact on demand.