Source: Adapted from Stopford, M. (1997 & 2009) Maritime Economics, 2nd & 3rd edition, London: Routledge.
The financing of the port and shipping industries comes from several sources, but it is commonly the responsibility of specialized brokers with close relationships with the industry. The income is used to directly finance the operational and capital requirements of shipping companies and terminal operators, as well as to pay back dividends to the institutions providing capital. In this context, the maritime industry has the most significant influence on the allocation of investment capital, and the financial sector provides this capital based on merit and expected returns. These are strongly derived from existing trade volumes and their growth potential.
Globalization has substantially expanded maritime trade in recent decades, attracting significant capital investments. Containerization, in particular, increased the capital intensity of the industry, which in turn prompted additional investments. Another significant trend has also been the increased direct involvement of investors, such as insurance companies, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds. The conventional link between brokers and the maritime industry is becoming more tenuous.