Correlation Between the Development of Russian Ports and their GRP

Abstract

The presented study analyzes the development of ports in several Russian regions in recent years in terms of their effect on the regional economy. Aim. The study aims to examine the potential correlation between GRP and cargo turnover in the largest Russian port regions: Leningrad, Krasnodar, Murmansk, and Primorsky. Tasks. The author analyzes the effects of the development of ports on the overall development of the examined regions and determines whether the predominance of raw material cargo processed by Russian stevedoring companies is a limiting factor for the development of ports and the accompanying regional development. Methods. This study uses materials from scientific literature and previous studies by the same author. References are provided in the corresponding section. Results. The analysis shows the most significant correlation between the development of ports and regional development as a whole, including in terms of economic performance, in the Leningrad region in 2005. The correlation between the development of ports and regional development in terms of GRP is strong in the Leningrad and Primorsky regions, whereas the diversified economy of the Krasnodar region shows a much weaker, albeit positive correlation between the development of ports, GRP, and regional development. Stagnation in the growth of cargo turnover in the ports of the Murmansk region in 2005-2016 shows no correlation with either GRP or regional development. Conclusions. The study makes an assumption that the weak correlation between the level of GRP in the Primorsky region and the growth of cargo turnover in its ports, along with a positive correlation between the development of ports and regional development is indicative of a rather strong dissociation between the development of ports and the region's socio-economic development - for example, compared to the Leningrad region. This conclusion may be important for the assessment and planning of the socio-economic development of Russian regions.