The dynamic coupling relationship between port and city from the perspective of port container traffic and the economy of port city

This study aims to explore the dynamic coupling relationships and the inter-lagging effects between the port and port city based on the auto-regression distribute lag model (ARDL) and error correction model (ECM). An empirical analysis of the Yangtze River Delta multi-port system was performed for illustration and verification purposes from the perspective of container traffic and the economy of the port city. Results show that port container traffic and the economy of the port city have significant interaction for both short- and long-run relationships, but different-scale ports have different port-city relationships and different inter-lagging effects. The findings also show that tertiary industry (TI) activities are the most associated with port development, secondary industry (SI) is second, and primary industry (PI) has less connection with port development. Meanwhile, with the extension of the lagging periods, the positive and negative effects are always declining. In terms of methodology, this framework is also helpful and applicable to other ports and port cities worldwide, and the empirical analysis also can provide managerial insight for policymakers and investors.