The efficiency of European container ports: A cross-sectional data envelopment analysis

Abstract

This paper focuses on measuring the efficiency of container terminals in Europe using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. Container terminals in Europe play an important role in the region’s economic development and, as the result of their geographic concentration, face fierce competition compared with the rest of the world. Despite this, studies of the efficiency of container terminals in the region are minimal. As a basis for further research, this paper serves to supplement existing studies by deriving estimates of relative efficiency for a sample comprising 69 of Europe’s container terminals with annual throughput of over 10,000 TEUs. The scale properties of container terminal production are also considered as part of the study, as is the relationship of efficiency to geographical influence.