STRATEGIC GUIDELINES FOR THE CONTAINER TRANSPORT IN THE PORT OF RIJEKA

Modern ports are not only places for delivering, loading and unloading of cargo and transportation of passengers and goods by sea and further on by land transportation facilities, but they are, at the same time, an important link in a logistics chain of international transportation. The competition among ports is becoming more intense, therefore increased cargo-handling rates and a higher level of productivity are not sufficient to enhance the level of competitiveness. There is a need to present their business performance through a high-quality network of land routes, developed port infrastructure and suprastructure, computer data processing, modern communications and the introduction of up-to-date transportation technologies. In such circumstances it seems legitimate to research current problems of the functioning of the port system and using strategic guidelines of container transport examine the possibilities the port may have in becoming recognizable by optimum performance of its functions, systematic formulation of research results and suggesting representative solutions for the development of the port of Rijeka. Considering the complexity of the problem and the object of the research, a basic hypothesis has been advanced: In the context of increased international trade and the development of modern transport technologies and methods of organization, the port development must be planned in the context of the overall transport trends. A wide recognition of the port as well as optimum performance of its functions, realization of the planned capacity of the container terminal system together with constant adapting to changes, with rationalization and business efficincy in mind, are possible only if all participants and elements of transport are interconnected and coordinated with the goal of optimization of the logistics transport chain. The purpose of this article is to examine problems and current questions concerning container terminal operations in the context of modern transport technologies and methods of organization and the overall transport trends. The aim is also to demonstrate how a port through optimization of a logistics chain of transport can achieve its full recognition. A port must adapt to modern trends of the maritime trade and the process of globalization within the system of shipping industry.