The paper is based on an extensive empirical analysis carried out on the role that maritime transport and ports play in a specific supply chain, i.e. that of the furniture sector in Italy. The sector is a relevant one for the Italian economy, since Italy detains the worldwide leadership in exports. After an analysis of the International scenario - in which the role of the Mediterranean region is highlighted - a four-steps methodology is employed for the Italian case study: first, on the basis of various data, the generation (production sites analysis), distribution (markets) and modal split of traffic flows are analyzed, both at aggregate and disaggregate levels. Then, the decision-making process is examined on the basis of a questionnaire-based technique, in which main modes and port choice criteria (path choices) are identified. Main results demonstrate a generally positive trend for maritime transport services. However, port-maritime competitiveness is limited to extra-continental markets, in which the US market plays a driving role. With some notable exceptions (the UK market), shipping services turn out to be largely less competitive than road services for intra-EU markets, both in terms of costs and transit time. In the main, it is found that the role of main competitiveness factors (cost and transit time) strictly depends on the pricing policies (e.g. FOB vs. DDP) which crucially influence the choice of ports.
