Evolution, Dynamics and Optimization of Maritime Transportation in Changshan Islands

Although till now, there isn´t a consistent definition of island, many features like small size, insularity, remoteness and marginality, and proneness to natural disasters are shared by different islands in different region. These factors or special disadvantages lead to the characterization of small islands as being fragile due to their vulnerable ecology and economic systems (Belleretal., 1990; Briguglio, 1995). Maritime transportation is a primary way to build the link between islands and outer regions. Transport services can conquer the islands´ disadvantages and provide the lifeline to the islands at edge. Maritime transportation is also an important means of breaking through islands´ insulation in nature and extroversion in economy. Thus, it is important for islands areas to pay more attention to transportation issues at sea. Taking the Chang Shan islands in northern China as study object, setting out from checking space-time changes in traffic nodes (ports and docks), traffic lines on sea and passenger number, this paper analyzes the driving factors of maritime transportation changes, as well as problems nowadays. For optimizing the distribution of maritime transportation in Changshan islands and fostering integrated development of island-mainland economy, this paper deems that innovating ports investment policy, building shipping group, building land-coast base for islands and carrying out multi-modal transport between sea and land are effective measures nowadays.