Systemic, logical and comparative analysis as well as synthesis of scientific literature are used
as the methods of this research.
For the analysis of the functionality of seaport logistics systems and their particularity, logical
and comparative analysis of scientific literature was performed in order to distinguish the purpose
of port logistics systems. The levels of the movement of value flows were determined as well.
Comprehensive application of the term “logistics systems”, which covers all elements of 8 R
principle, all logistics processes, functions and operations irrespective of the types of flows
(material, financial and informational), was defined by the systemic view on port logistics systems,
synthesis method and determined variety of the definitions of logistics systems. Logical analysis helped determine the importance of port logistics systems in small countries’ economic systems and
their connections with production and consumption sectors with regard to the stages of development
of the concepts of logistics and port-centric logistics systems. The abovementioned methods served
to distinguish the significance of port-centric logistics systems for economic systems of small
countries and for their competitiveness; the forms of competitiveness were determined according to
the forms of ports’ competitiveness and the factors of impact and interdependence between port-
centric logistics systems and economic systems of small countries were determined in the context of
competitiveness of small countries in the conditions of global economy.