COSCO and China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) merged and reorganized as COSCO Shipping Lines in 2016. Through using a complex network methodology, we analyze the spatial patterns of their shipping networks before and after the merger. We evaluate the integration effects based on two main dimensions: network and hub economies. While complementarities are found between COSCO and CSCL networks before the merger, COSCO Shipping Lines increased the total number of service nodes and shipping routes significantly. The merger also had the effect of strengthening the hub capacity of 7 of the top 15 hub ports in the main markets covered by the new company. Results underline that this strategy of overseas pivotal ports promoted the development of hub economy and regional market expansion.

中文翻译：

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班轮运输网络的复杂网络分析：中远与中海集运合并的教训

中远与中海集运（CSCL）于2016年合并重组为中远海运。通过复杂网络方法，我们分析了合并前后两家航运网络的空间格局。我们基于两个主要维度评估整合效果：网络经济和枢纽经济。中远集运与中海集运合并前的网络存在互补性，但中远海运集运的服务节点总数和航线总数显着增加。此次合并还增强了新公司覆盖的主要市场中前15个枢纽港中7个的枢纽能力。结果表明，海外枢纽港战略促进了枢纽经济的发展和区域市场的拓展。