Abstract
The West Africa gross domestic product is expected to grow and port expansion projects will increase capacity by over 12 million TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) by 2020. With the economic potential that the region offers and the steady growth of container traffic, the port selection decision by shipping lines is complex because the region has a poor shipping infrastructure and political instability that impact transportation security supply chain services. This research applies a multi-attribute value theory (MAVT) with value-focused thinking (VFT) and alternative-focused thinking (AFT) methodologies to develop a shipping lines’ container port selection decision models for West Africa. Criteria and port alternatives from a previous published study were used in the research. The study demonstrates that a decision analysis model can be developed based on available quantitative port data rather than using data from surveys, interviews and questionnaires, as done in previous publications. In both approaches the Abidjan Port is the best option for shipping lines and the worst option is the Lagos Port. The VFT approach offers graphical displays that help decision makers understand strengths, weaknesses, tradeoffs, and improvement opportunities for each port alternative.
Highlights
Ports are considered an integral part of maritime industry and global supply chains
The purpose of this study is to investigate the container port selection decision of the main ports in West Africa, applying a multi-attribute value theory (MAVT) with Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) and Alternative-Focused Thinking (AFT) methodologies
The applicability of the MAVT with value-focused thinking (VFT) approach for a port selection decision problem has been demonstrated in this research and compared with the traditional alternative-focused thinking (AFT) approach
Summary
Ports are considered an integral part of maritime industry and global supply chains. Over 90 percent of global trade is carried by sea (IMO, 2012). Port selection is critical for shipping lines to offer competitive services and add value to the supply chain of their customers. Port selection is a complex and dynamic decision, involving the analysis of multiple and conflicting criteria including port capacity, infrastructure, safety, location, intermodal links, security, service level, costs, etc. MCDA methods have been used to analyze the port selection problem (Dyck & Ismael, 2015; Gohomene, Bonsal, Maistralis, Wang, & Li, 2015; Yeo, Ng, Lee, & Yang, 2014; Alanda & Yang, 2013; Chou, 2010; Chou, 2007; Ugboma, Ugboma, & Ogwude, 2006; Guy & Urli, 2006; Song & Yeo, 2004; Lirn, Thanopoulou, Beynon, & Beresford, 2004; Frankel, 1992) the literature is silent regarding the application of the multi-attribute value theory (MAVT) approach
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