Evaluating the technical efficiency of Egypt’s main container terminals

Abstract

ABSTRACT Technical efficiency in container terminals refers to the ability of a port/terminal to operate at maximum capacity with a minimum number of resources. This includes optimising equipment and workforce utilisation, as well as streamlining operations and logistics to reduce delays and increase throughput. This research follows a deductive approach using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models (CCR) and sensitivity analysis (SA) to define the most effective variable in the efficiency score of the main Egyptian container terminals. According to the sensitivity analysis, the most significant variable influencing the efficiency scores is the draft. Using the CCR model, it was found that the majority of the Egyptian container terminals under review were inefficient during the study period, with the exception of the East Port Said terminal. The current research is limited to evaluating the technical efficiency of six Egyptian container terminals (Alexandria, El-Dekheila, Damietta, East Port Said port, Port Said West, and El-Sokhna terminals) using two different DEA models from 2018 to 2022. The present research offers an in-depth approach for evaluating the technical efficiency of container terminals. The study’s findings could be applied to developing guidelines for enhancing the efficiency and productivity of Egypt’s container terminals.