Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Chinese investments in european ports
Η πρωτοβουλία «Μία Ζώνη, Ένας Δρόμος» (Belt and Road Initiative - BRI) και Κινεζικές Επενδύσεις σε ευρωπαϊκά λιμάνια
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Keywords
Πρωτοβουλία «Μία Ζώνη, Ένας Δρόμος» (BRI) ; Κινεζικές επενδύσεις ; Λιμάνι Πειραιά ; COSCO ; Ευρωπαϊκά λιμάνια ; Άμεσες ξένες επενδύσεις ; Διακυβέρνηση λιμένων ; Κρατικές επιχειρήσεις ; Κόμβοι μεταφόρτωσηςAbstract
This thesis investigates Chinese investment activities in European port facilities through an examination of Piraeus Port under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The research investigates COSCO's port acquisition process from 2009 concession to 2016 majority ownership through a dual method of conceptual and empirical analysis to study operational performance and governance structure and network position changes. The research evaluates operational performance and governance structure and network position changes through a combination of literature review and quantitative data analysis and comparative studies with other European ports. The research shows that COSCO's involvement at Piraeus Port resulted in major performance improvements and established the port as a top Mediterranean transshipment center. The port's vertical integration and regulatory oversight and strategic dependence became major issues after COSCO took control. The research provides new knowledge about state-owned multinational investments and port governance and how Europe handles foreign control of critical infrastructure.