Competition and cooperation game analysis of container port based on competitiveness evaluation of the Bohai Rim region

Economic globalization intensifies competition among ports within similar clusters, effectuating overlapping hinterlands and redundant services. This study develops an evaluation index system for port competitiveness and applies the TOPSIS method to analyze ports in the Bohai Rim region. Focusing on Qingdao and Tianjin ports, a static game model based on Bertrand's theory evaluates revenue outcomes under different strategies and reveals cooperation as the optimal approach, however, the absence of betrayal costs poses a significant barrier to its realization. Using an evolutionary game model, we identify two stable strategies: cooperation and competition. The different initial intentions of both sides to cooperate and price sensitivity coefficients influence the evolutionary direction, predicting a 58% likelihood for collaboration under current conditions. The recommendations include enhancing inter-port connectivity, optimizing port positioning, promoting informatization to reduce price wars, and encouraging collaboration. Future research should expand the model to include all port clusters by incorporating additional influential parameters.