Abstract Shipping connectivity is an important concern of maritime policies given their implications on trade access and economic growth and development. The research demonstrates application of data analytics to extract insights regarding shipping connectivity for contribution to maritime policies. Information drawn from shipping services operated by shipping lines contains number of vessels involved, names of each vessel, vessel type, vessel size, vessel operator, partner carriers, service frequency, port-of-rotation and whether the service is operated under an alliance. Application uses the case of major container ports in Southeast Asia. For port competition and competitiveness, results and implications suggest maritime policies will need to go beyond targeting specific shipping lines to account for considerations and requirements of the entire alliance given dominance of shipping alliances on key trade routes and decision for port-calls. For market contestability, our research demonstrates potential of employing data analytics in maritime policies regarding monitoring market concentration for shipping connectivity and analysing associated market behaviour of shipping lines. For development of shipping routes, data analytics can be used in maritime policy formulation to identify important areas where shipping connectivity can be strengthened, including identification of specific trade routes and potential shipping lines and alliances to target.

Highlights • Research applies data analytics to extract insights for maritime policies. • Research draws attention to the rich source of information in shipping services. • Methods for performing descriptive, diagnostic and prescriptive analytics are proposed. • Approach allows direct observations of port competition and competitiveness, market contestability, and market development. • Maritime policy, managerial and research implications are offered for container ports.