Determining the Relationship Pattern of Container Trade and Economic Growth of Iran

Ports play an influential and determining role in the world trade, such that, about ninety five percent of import and eighty five percent of export are approximately carried through the ports. Identification of variables and effective factors on container trade growth as well as relationship condition between these variables could result in forecasting strategies and activities pertaining to development of this trade. The prominent issue for container terminals is performing the activities in a way that economic and social goals are satisfied and put the port into its best beneficial condition. Foundation of this research is determining a relationship between container trade growth and trade development of Iran. In the first part of this reaearch, a reviwe of liturature about world container trade growth and GDP is provided. Then in the second part, analysis and examination of two variables, Gross domestic product (GDP) as one of the main scales of economic growth and rate of container handling in Iran are clarified through calculation of correlation coefficient and Regression Analysis. The results of this paper indicated that the relationship between gross domestic product and loading and unloading of containers is positive and direct correlation type.