The use of containers has a significant effect on the volume of products handled for import and export in Brazilian ports. Thus, materials handling via coastal shipping have been shown to be a viable alternative for transporting loads in the country. This study aimed to identify the factors of competitiveness of costal shipping companies located in port of Suape, Pernambuco. For this, we applied a questionnaire to collect data on corporate customers of the port, and carried out a statistical analysis to obtain a diagnosis on this modal. The results provide insight into customer opinion about coastal shipping lines and the aspects that bring differentiation in the core transport activity performed by the owner and most important to the customers. These results allow ship owners to reassess its strategy in the market and customers with a broad vision, which will assist in decision making in relation to transport strategy chose.
Supply Chain; Logistics; Transportation