Dear reader:
The Valenciaport Chair of Port Economics, a project born from the collaboration between the Port Authority of Valencia and the University of Valencia, aims to bring knowledge about the increasingly changing international economy and trade situation and, particularly, the maritime traffic and port activity, to professionals, the media, academics, students and, in short, the whole of society interested in this changing reality.
It is undeniable that in the current international economic context, defined both by crucial processes of structural transformation (digital transformation, development of a new "green economy", technological revolution linked to artificial intelligence, redefinition of the role of multilateral institutions, modification of the prevailing schemes of past decades in the fields of international trade, international investment and financing, transformation of the labour markets, redefinition of the value chains that underpin global production processes, demographic ageing, alteration of geostrategic patterns...) and by the economic shocks derived from COVID-19 and the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the Valencian economy, traditionally linked for its development to openness not only at European but also at a global level, and which has been supported in the last economic cycle by its growing presence in international markets, requires knowledge designed and oriented from the region itself to deal more adequately with the processes above mentioned. In their respective spheres of action, the University of Valencia and the Port of Valencia represent two elemental nodes of this openness and constant connection with the outside world economy and Valencian society.
In this regard, the Valenciaport Chair of Port Economics aims to develop reports and studies, both strictly academic and of an informative nature, as well as a series of new or improved indicators in areas such as the international economic situation, major trade trends (and, in particular, the dynamics of maritime trade linked to the activity of the Port of Valencia), tariff and non-tariff protectionism, the determinants of port connectivity, or the vulnerability of the Global Value Chains, among others.
In line with the concept of the institutional Chairs of the University of Valencia and under the approach to knowledge and its transmission defended by the Port Authority of Valencia, the Valenciaport Chair of Port Economics will make a continuous effort to disseminate and communicate its activities. To this end, the Chair will organise seminars, workshops and public conferences. It will collaborate in developing activities and meetings organised by national and international institutions of relevance in the fields related to the Chair. Likewise, the studies carried out, including those held in the framework of the doctoral theses supported by the Chair, will be presented at scientific congresses and/or other spaces of interest. Finally, on an annual basis, two prizes will be awarded for the best Bachelor's and Master's Degree Final Projects focused on International Trade, Ports, Transport and Logistics, especially those related to maritime traffic activities.
Via the Chair's website (https://www.uv.es/porteconomy/chair), anyone interested can follow this programme of activities.
Any suggestions or comments can be submitted via e-mail to the Chair's e-mail address (porteconomy@uv.es).
Yours sincerely
VICENTE J. PALLARDO LOPEZ
