Edinburgh Napier University

  This paper examines the spatial and institutional characteristics of inland port development in Latin America, through an analysis of a detailed case study of the port of Veracruz in Mexico. It explores the spatial distribution of seaports and inland ports as well as the issues of customs clearance, rail regulation, cargo security and land acquisition, before discussing conflicting models of development depending on the priorities of inland and port actors. A supplementary aim of the paper is thus to develop a conceptual model of directional development in a geographical context of an emerging economy which traditionally has suffered from the absence of integrated policy frameworks for transport and logistics, leading to a lack of infrastructure investment and several constraints on hinterland accessibility. Findings reveal that port actors (both port authorities and terminal operators) are being proactive in response to a changing transport and logistics environment, in a setting where railway regulation and cargo security play critical roles in establishing hinterland integration. Reform to customs clearance processes is ongoing to allow more effective container flow management between the port and the hinterland, but the major obstacle to implementing an efficient loop is the fragmentation of the rail sector in Mexico.