Spatial-Temporal Evolution Dynamics of Port System Structure and Maritime Enterprise Distributions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (2017-2022)
Abstract：
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area port cluster is an important part of China’s coastal port system, where the ports show unique functional evolution characteristics due to “one country, two systems”. With the trend of regional port integration across many China’s provinces, this paper analyses the functions and relative positions of ports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the international and regional shipping network from 2017 to 2022, using ship trajectory data provided by the global Automatic Identification System (AIS), including the frequency of port calls at individual ports, types of international shipping routes, and changes in the direction of ship flow between regional ports. In addition, combining maritime enterprises data in the hinterland cities of the area from 2000 to 2020, this paper analyses the characteristics of the spatial and temporal distribution of different maritime industries and their changing patterns, and finally examines the interaction between the functional differentiation of the ports and the distribution of the industries. The findings indicate a substantial overlap in the market area between the ports of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, both primarily catering to the East-Southeast Asia, Trans-Pacific, and Asia-Europe routes, and both exhibiting a propensity for export activity since 2020. Shenzhen Port has emerged as the leading centre in connecting regional ports. Guangzhou Port mainly serves the transportation of domestic trade goods, with its foreign trade cargo predominantly exported to developing nations. Over the past two decades, maritime enterprises in the region have progressively shifted from coastal to inland cities, with Shenzhen and Guangzhou witnessing the most rapid increase in enterprise numbers, indicative of enterprise clustering propelled by the enhancement of inland port operations. The findings will provide practical guidance for understanding the dynamics of port system structure and industry evolution in the context of port regionalization development.