Exploratory evaluation of dry ports in northeast of Brazil

Develop a supply chain infrastructure is one of the most challenges faced by governments, trying to achieve an efficient logistic network. As an option to improve the congestion in seaports and reduction in transportation cost, dry ports have a key role to play in advancing port-hinterland connectivity. While many researches have been developed in Asian and European countries, studies about dry port are still in the early stage in Latin America. However, there are many issues to be discussed in these areas, with poor railways infrastructures, covered by bureaucratic customs processes in countries with economic and political instability, as happen in Brazil. To overcome the literature gap, this article presents a preliminary study about dry ports in northeast of Brazil, classifying the four logistic structures in that region and exploring, by two case studies, the main strategic issues related to Brazilian dry ports. This study provides a useful insight to policymakers, as well for dry port managers, shippers and costumers that use this logistic infrastructure as an alternative to become more competitive as well is a beginning for new research developments in this area.