Centrality measures and competitive positioning of North Adriatic cruise ports

Lorenčič, Vivien (author)

The article examines the competitive positioning of cruise ports in the North Adriatic Sea cruise network using network analysis and centrality measures such as degree, betweenness, closeness, and eigenvector centrality. The study provides insights into the dynamics of the cruise industry, particularly in the region and its connection to the Mediterranean. The hypothesis states that ports with higher centrality scores have a stronger competitive position and attract more cruise traffic, leading to greater economic benefits. The aim of this study is to determine how centrality measures can reflect the strategic positioning and operational efficiency of North Adriatic cruise ports. The purpose is to offer a data-driven approach to evaluate cruise port connectivity and competitiveness, assisting port authorities and cruise operators in optimizing itineraries and enhancing regional cooperation. Results show that Zadar ranks highest in degree and eigenvector centrality, indicating robust incoming connections, while Venice leads in outdegree centrality, highlighting its role as a primary departure hub. Corfu serves as a critical transit port in betweenness centrality, facilitating connections across the Mediterranean. The study identifies “predator” ports like Venice that act as major departure points from popular destination ports like Piraeus and Barcelona. Findings confirm that integrating centrality measures into competitive analyses is crucial for sustainable growth in the cruise sector and optimizing cruise itineraries.

• Language: English
• Keywords: network analysis, cruise ports, Adriatic Sea, competitiveness
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FPP - Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2025
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 92-111
• Numbering: Vol. 39, no. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-176375
• UDC: 656.615
• ISSN on article: 1332-0718
• DOI: 10.31217/p.39.1.8
• COBISS.SI-ID: 226687235

Copyright

Licenca Creative Commons je navedena na povezavi: https://hrcak.srce.hr/330915. (Datum opombe 28. 11. 2025)

• Publication date in RUL: 28.11.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Pomorstvo : journal of maritime studies
• Shortened title: Pomorstvo
• Publisher: Odjel za pomorstvo Sveučilišta, Visoka pomorska škola
• ISSN: 1332-0718
• COBISS.SI-ID: 897123

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
• Description: A creative commons license that bans commercial use, but the users don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: analiza omrežja, pristanišča za križarjenja, Jadransko morje, konkurenčnost