Recently we have seen a noticeable trend in ports to establish port clusters. Despite this trend, little research has actually been undertaken to fully define and analyse port clusters. A couple of exceptions have descriptively defined port clusters but the boundaries of port clusters are not apparent. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to define port clusters in terms of set theory and in particular look at them in terms of their distinct characteristics and system boundaries. The main concern of this paper is that there is a need to distinguish, from a system and a competition perspective, between port clusters, ports, maritime clusters and port ranges. This paper proposes a conceptual model relevant to the relationship among port clusters related assemblages and that has been applied to the north western europe region This model suggests six levels of competition that will help port authorities and government to develop appropriate policies and strategies for port operation and port industry.

• Hong-Seung Roh