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Abstract: The development of inland freight distribution systems has been an active strategy to promote the hinterland of maritime gateways around the world. While differences can be observed among North-American and European hinterlands, the setting and development of rail-based dry ports in those regions come in many forms and shapes. This paper demonstrates that the observed similarities and differences are the result of the regional and local governance and regulatory settings, the types and strategies of stakeholders involved, the spatial and functional relations with adjacent and or distant gateway ports, the dynamics in logistics network configurations, the specific competitive setting (i.e. competition with trucking and barges in Europe) and the imperatives in rail operations. In spite of the technical similarities brought by intermodalism, European and North American dry ports are functionally two of a kind since they play different roles within their respective transport and supply chains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The emergence of inland ports took place in several regions around the world, notably where the growth of inland freight distribution required a massification of flows. Yet, there is no definitive consensus about how such inland facilities should be labeled, with terms such as dry ports being advocated. It is suggested in the paper that the term inland port is a more appropriate construct since it considers terminal activities as well as the crucial logistics activities taking place in co-location or in proximity of inland terminals. This perspective requires the investigation of how transport and supply chain functions and the various actors involved in their setting and operations are taking shape in inland ports. Case studies pertaining to European and North American inland ports are presented. Although inland ports are planned, set and operated by a wide variety of actors, ranging from public to private interests, transport and supply chain functions tend to label them as satellite terminals, load centers or transmodal centers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]