Intermodal Terminals, Mega Ports and Mega Logistics

Economic globalization has been accompanied by a growing spatial imprint of freight distribution on the landscape, particularly for intermodal terminals such as ports, airports and railyards, but also for logistical activities, namely distribution centers. Economies that have relied on globalization to promote growth, China been the most eloquent example, have relied extensively on major intermodal terminal projects, particularly ports (Rimmer and Comtois, 2009). All over the world, terminals and their surrounding areas face mounting pressures to accommodate large freight flows which are increasingly containerized. Containers are standard units that have been designed for simplicity and functionality which is reflected in the intermodal function of container terminals. There is thus the setting of a “mega logistics” framework insuring a continuous circulation of intermodal freight between clusters of production and major consumption markets. The reasons why intermodal terminals and ports in particular can be considered mega infrastructure projects involve three points: