It is necessary to distinguish the purpose of port logistics systems and the levels of movement
of the flows of economic values when analyzing port logistics systems and particularities of their
functionality. When determining the variety of the definitions of logistics systems, it is expedient to
describe the comprehensive application of the concept of logistics systems which must cover all
elements of 8R principle by implication, i.e. port logistics systems include all processes, functions
and operations of logistics irrespective of the types of flows (material, financial and informational)
and the logistics system coverage. It is also useful to determine the importance of port logistics
systems and their relations and connections with production and consumption sectors according to
the development phases of the concept of logistics systems. In this instance, the significance of
port-centric logistics systems must be investigated in the context of competitiveness of small
countries. It is also necessary to determine the forms of competitiveness of port-centric logistics
systems, to substantiate the role of these systems in the formation of competitive advantages of
small countries and the increase of competitiveness of their economic systems. It allows
distinguishing the factors of impact and interdependence of port-centric logistics systems and small
countries’ economic systems in respect of their competitiveness and in the conditions of global
economy.