Over the course of the past few years, the rise of mainland China¡¦s harbors as well as the emerging harbors in other Asian countries have fueled competition in the international shipping industry and, has led to a dramatic increase in the total port capacity causing the transportation supply to exceed the demand. Such competition may destabilize a supplier¡¦s ability to maintain financial security and competitiveness. Therefore suppliers have devoted much energy and attention towards strategizing and marketing the shipping industry¡¦s future. For example, previous operations and management of the harbor was based primarily on traditional resource and product-oriented marketing. But contrary to popular methods, other successful international harbor operators have directed their operation towards the needs of container shipping companies. Therefore this study compiles the related literature and research and investigates the influences the association between the harbor operators and container shipping companies, and conducts research analysis via questionnaire survey. Through the model of functions of components influencing the quality of the relationship, this study investigated how harbor operators established solid relationship, trust, and commitment via direct and indirect customer channels and customer satisfaction when offering their services. This study also formulated strategies to better improve the loyalty of container shipping companies so that the harbor need not be replaced. This study used both factor analysis and regression analysis to verify the outcome of the function strategies of association on the relationship quality. The findings are as follows: 1.Both direct and indirect functions of relationship of association had significant influence on the aspects of the relationship quality. 2.The aspects of the relationship quality had direct relation as to whether a harbor operator could be easily replaced. 3.Based on the previously mentioned results, researchers tried to formulate, strategies for the harbor operator to improve on its relationship with container shipping companies giving them a competitive edge.