Sustainability-based evolution of port hinterlands : green performance and spatial impacts in the Bohai Rim

Abstract

Global net-zero targets are reshaping port clusters toward greener and more coordinated development. However, the performance and hinterland influence of hub ports from a sustainability perspective remain underexplored. The Bohai Rim, with its high port density and early green transition efforts, offers a representative case for studying spatiotemporal hinterland evolution in this context. This study uses panel data from six major container ports over the period 2011-2023 to build a multidimensional sustainability indicator system that includes carbon emissions and sea-rail intermodal throughput. The sustainability scores are first applied in a Wilson model to estimate general port influence, and then integrated with OD-cost distance in a field strength model to delineate county-level hinterland patterns. The results show that port hinterlands generally expanded during the study period, with increased overlap, stronger connectivity, and more intense regional coopetition. Qingdao and Tianjin evolved into dual spatial cores, and Rizhao accelerated inland expansion via multimodal transport. In contrast, Dalian and Yingkou showed limited hinterland growth and constrained spatial influence. This study proposes a transferable integrated framework for sustainability-based hinterland analysis, offering cross-port and cross-regional applicability to support planning and policymaking under green development goals.