Top Member Research Activity Seminar BBL
International Economics Seminar
Next Time
Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 4:45pm-6:15pm (JST)
| Speaker | Dr. Thi Thu Trang Tran (University of Tokyo) |
|---|---|
| Title | Shipping Capacity, Transportation Costs, and International Trade |
| Abstract | Shipping capacity is a key constraint in maritime transport because building new ships takes several years. In the short run, shipping operators respond to market fluctuations by adjusting fleet deployment and vessel utilization. This paper develops a model linking shipping capacity, transportation costs, and international trade. Shipping operators first charter ships from shipowners and commit capacity to origin–destination markets, then compete in transport quantities. Operating costs depend on fleet utilization, with marginal costs rising more steeply beyond a threshold that captures costly speed adjustments. Shipping demand derives from an Armington trade model, and freight charges enter delivered goods prices. A competitive charter market allocates a fixed world fleet, while charter income and operator profits contribute to household income and expenditure. We use the GTAP database to calibrate trade flows, maritime transport costs, and labor inputs, and ship movement data to estimate operating-cost functions and utilization thresholds. The framework accommodates both quantity responses under committed capacity and adjustments through fleet redeployment. It provides a basis for assessing how changes in fleet availability and operating conditions affect transportation costs, trade flows, and the distribution of income between shipowners and shipping operators. |
| Room | Room #817 on the 8F in Faculty of Law and Faculty of Economics East Bldg, Kyoto University and online meeting room (hybrid) |
| Registration | If you want to participate in this webinar, please register through this registration form by Monday, November 16th at 9:00am (JST). |
| Note | This seminar will be conducted in English. |
Upcoming
Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 4:45pm-6:15pm (JST)
| Speaker | Prof. Pingting SONG (Keio University) |
|---|---|
| Title | TBA |
| Room | Room #817 on the 8F in Faculty of Law and Faculty of Economics East Bldg, Kyoto University and online meeting room (hybrid) |
| Registration | Forthcomming |
| Note | This seminar will be conducted in English. |
Friday, January 29, 2027 at 5:00pm-6:30pm (JST)
| Speaker | Prof. Hiroshi Kumanomido（Kwansei Gakuin University） |
|---|---|
| Title | TBA |
| Room | Room #106 on 1F in the Main Building of the Kyoto Institute of Economic Research |
| Registration | Forthcomming |
| Note | Joint with Urban Economics Workshop.This seminar will be conducted in English. |
Organizers
Access
| Yoshida Main Campus, Kyoto University |
| Graduate school and Faculty of Economics, Kyoto University |