Efficiency Of Container Ports Research Articles

Enhancing OCR with line segmentation mask for container text recognition in container terminal

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the operational efficiency of container ports. However, challenges such as angle limitations and the complexity of container fonts in traditional OCR systems lead to tilted text and text adhesion, thereby reducing the recognition rate. Recognizing containers at a high speed is equally crucial for port operations. In this study, we address these challenges by introducing an Enhanced OCR (EOCR) system, incorporating Line Segmentation Mask (LSM)-based detection and Scanline-based recognition. LSM tackles the issue of text adhesion caused by traditional segmentation, while recognition based on scan lines accelerates efficiency. Additionally, we propose the arbitrary angle quadrilateral fitting algorithm targeting sloping quad areas in images taken at a container terminal. Experimental results on a dataset of container images from the Shanghai Port demonstrate superior performance compared to existing algorithms, achieving a recognition accuracy rate of up to 98.7%. Furthermore, an ablation study confirms that our EOCR significantly enhances recognition accuracy while ensuring real-time performance.

Changes in efficiency and physical size of container ports: An integration of genetic matching and stochastic data envelopment analysis

Benchmarking container ports of different physical sizes and figuring out the relationship between size and efficiency is complex due to the heterogeneous environment. In dealing with heterogeneity, the selection bias is often overlooked. Therefore, this study proposes an integrated multivariate genetic matching and stochastic DEA algorithm to evaluate the efficiency of container ports. It paves the way for container ports that differ in a selected feature, such as size, to be benchmarked using well-balanced clusters. Thus, the port managers can identify the most similar-featured peers in benchmarking with DEA or alternative models to acquire robust estimates without dependence on a longitudinal data set. The results of the model applied to international container ports imply the increase in size impacts efficiency negatively, while connectivity does positively, which contradicts the commonly held perception of stakeholders that the larger the container ports, the more efficient. That is, well-managed small container ports can also be as efficient. Therefore, it is concluded that the results of integrating genetic matching into the performance measurement provide beneficial inferences. In future research, clustering the observed container ports according to a specific feature and balancing clusters with multivariate genetic matching can provide valuable insights into the industry.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on connectivity, operational efficiency, and resilience of major container ports in Southeast Asia

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has had significant impacts on the connectivity and performance of container ports in Southeast Asia. The application of social network analysis (SNA) in conjunction with key indicators, such as container throughput, total capacity of ships, number of ship calls, and berth duration, provides a comprehensive understanding of the development of the regional port system. While major ports in the region, namely Singapore, Port Kelang, Manila, and Laem Chabang, have exhibited signs of recovery owing to the expeditious and timely implementation of targeted policies to mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic, smaller ports in the region, such as Bangkok, Penang, Tanjung Priok, and Tanjung Perak, are grappling with enduring repercussions and encountering challenges in resilience. These challenges stem from inadequate infrastructure, limited accommodation capacity, low loading/unloading productivity, and other significant risk events associated with the pandemic, all of which have weakened their competitiveness. In contrast, ports in Vietnam, including Cai Mep, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh, as well as Malaysia's Tanjung Pelepas, have demonstrated that they are less impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be attributed to the sustained growth of their respective economies and the continued surge in domestic production to meet the unabated demand for exports. Based on these findings, several policy recommendations can be suggested for port authorities to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of risky events, such as pandemics, in the future while also enhancing the competitiveness of ports.

Nonparametric estimation of allocative efficiency using indirect production theory: Application to container ports in Norway

AbstractAdaption to prices is an important feature of productivity development. This paper proposes an extension of the StoNED model to accommodate estimation of allocative efficiency. It demonstrates how indirect production theory is suited for assessing allocative efficiency and helps alleviating the curse of dimensionality for stochastic nonparametric estimators compared to conventional measures of allocative efficiency. Furthermore, the paper elaborates on the appropriate cost of capital for the estimation of allocative efficiency. The proposed model framework is utilized to study allocative efficiency of Norwegian container ports, thereby adding to the literature on seaport terminal efficiency studies.

A Study of the Efficiency of Mediterranean Container Ports: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

The current paper presents the results of a study that analyzed and evaluated the efficiency of the largest container ports in the wider area of the Mediterranean Basin. The research question that this paper seeks to respond to is how the resources (inputs) of a container port reflect its level of activity and efficiency. In particular, what is the relationship between ports’ infrastructures, equipment and their productivity and the ports’ ability to attract economic activities as well as the extent of their effect on a port’s efficiency? The methodology uses the data envelopment analysis (DEA) output-oriented model following a cross-sectional approach. The research conducts two modeling approaches, the CCR and the BCC model. The analysis goes deeper and compares port efficiency estimates in relation to medium-sized and large ports’ classification and their total market share. The main findings indicated an average efficiency of 0.88 and 0.89 assuming constant and variable returns of scale, respectively, implying that the ports can increase their output levels up to approximately 1.2 times without any change in their inputs.

Port Efficiency Evaluation of Turkish Container Ports Based on DEA-SCOR Model: An Effective Sea Gateways in Türkiye for One Belt and One Road Initiative

This study aims to investigate the relative operational efficiency of major Turkish container ports based on the Data Envelopment Analysis - Supply Chain Operations Reference (DEA-SCOR) model. While Turkish export and import figures are growing, the scientifical studies on operational efficiency of Turkish ports are gaining more attention day by day. Of course, one of the important import countries is China for Türkiye and BRI (One Belt and One Road Initiative) tends to support Turkish trade between western and eastern countries. Therefore, Turkish ports’ efficiencies should be identified and suggestions have been presented for further development. The sampling frame was chosen from the members of TURKLIM and therefore, the SCOR and Data Envelopment Methodology examined 23 seaports. Both methodologies are generally used for analyzing the operational efficiency of ship inward-outward and stackings. The findings of the study show that four major ports are the most efficient gateways to handle inward and outward container traffic with their input variables. However, there are some challenges in port investment for BRI. This study should be used for the further analysis in the sector reports and scientific papers.

Assessing the technical efficiency of container ports based on a non-monotonic inefficiency effects model

This study aims to assess the technical efficiency of container ports in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea for the 2017–2019 period. A non-monotonic inefficiency effects model is used since it can reveal non-monotonic relationships and capture observation-specific marginal effects. Findings imply that while increasing physical size has non-monotonic effects on efficiency, increasing connectivity has monotonic positive effects on efficiency. Decision-makers should avoid large-scale infrastructure investments triggered by only the fierce competition to control underutilization. Making decisions focused on higher connectivity about marketing and operational structure could positively impact the performance of container ports.

Evaluating the efficiency of Mediterranean container ports using data envelopment analysis

Mediterranean container ports are constantly requested to face new market challenges after years of decline of their traffic in favour of a stronger leadership of Northern range ports, also favoured by the consolidation of the Arctic Route and the Belt and Road Initiative. To regain competitiveness, Mediterranean ports must undertake a path of operational, managerial and infrastructural strengthening. This study applies Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to 35 Mediterranean container ports in order to identify the potential key success factors on which to intervene to improve their competitiveness potential and response to the new market needs. The application uses the port throughput as output, and three inputs: yard area, number of quay cranes and distance of the port from the Suez–Gibraltar axis. The latter has been inserted in the study to evaluate whether it can affect port efficiency. Both input- and output-oriented approaches are used in order to investigate the port competitiveness through the production function (input-oriented), and the port commercial competitiveness based on the output and feasibility of its production (output-oriented). Results can provide insights for the implementation of future policies and management strategies aimed to strengthen the Mediterranean port context.

A New Reclassification in International Container Transport Market Based on the Impact of “One Belt And One Road” Initiative

Research about the efficiency of the world's major container ports has always being one of the hot issues in container port market. Especially when the “One Belt And One Road” initiative proposed in 2013, the pattern of the world container market is constantly changing. This study aims at examining the changes in world's top 20 international container ports in the new era of the shipping competition market. In current study, we obtained the input data from the Containerization International Yearbook and the journal of commerce annual top world container ports. The concept of ‘self-appraisal’ and ‘peer-appraisal’ is proposed to construct a new reclassification for clustering world's top container ports into three different types. This study exposes that the world's international container market is showing a good development momentum by the impact of the “One Belt And One Road” initiative. However, the situations of inputs surplus or waste resources also exist in some top international container ports. According to characteristics and demands of each port, we put forward some corresponding recommendations with which the operators can adjust their operations and marketing strategies.

AN APPLICATION OF THE IDEA MODEL IN THE ASSESSMENT OF CONTAINER TERMINALS EFFICIENCY WITH AN INTANGIBLE INPUT

The assessment of port efficiency through Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a valuable tool for ensuring accurate investment decisions in this capital-intensive industry. This study analyses the application of DEA on container ports. It assesses the efficiency of Brazilian container ports by proposing the inclusion of an intangible input related to the management practices of the terminals. In order to verify the effects of this input inclusion, the efficiency of 13 terminals is evaluated through the application of an IDEA-CRS model, which enables an appropriate handling of qualitative variables, with an orientation to the maximization of a single output, the annual container throughput, and inputs related to infrastructure, superstructure, and management unchanged. Model findings stress out the relevance of this intangible variable and the result that only three terminals are assessed as efficient, wherein the ones with the most robust management structure were not necessarily the most efficient.

Technical efficiency analysis of container terminals in India

Despite the number of studies on the efficiency of container ports, most studies are of developed nations, and very few are of developing nations, such as India. Indian container ports are very critical due to their location advantage and their ability to handle transhipment traffic. There is a need to understand their performance at the micro-level, specifically the terminal level rather than that of the whole port. This paper focuses on the analysis of the technical efficiency of 26 container terminals in India using a data envelopment analysis approach for the years 2015–2018 and interprets it with respect to location advantage, administrative control and private control of terminal operations. The research explores the Malmquist index which measures productivity changes over a period of time and deconstructs them into two components, namely efficiency change, referred to as catch-up, and frontier shift. This study enabled the ranking of these terminals in terms of their performances. The relative efficiency of container terminals on the west coast of India is found to be better than that of the east coast of India, and the efficiency of container terminals operating under major ports is on a declining path when compared with that of minor ports. The private participation has also not seen similar productivity changes across all container terminals. Among the seven high performing container terminals identified through the analysis provided, the terminal at Tuticorin emerged as the most consistent one in terms of relative efficiency and growth in total factor productivity. The dominant factor influencing the efficiency of a terminal is found to be the size of the terminal, offering the advantages of economies of scale.

Assessment of port efficiency using stepwise selection and window analysis in data envelopment analysis

Seaports play an important role in the national economy, with $900+ billion worth of goods moving in and out of the USA in containers. Growing shipping capacity and severe congestion in US ports raise concerns on their state of efficiency. Assessment of relative efficiency of container ports can provide insights into the productivity and performance of different ports. This study applies the appropriate data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to assess the changes in efficiency for 15 US container ports. The input and output variables in the DEA models are chosen using stepwise selection, a first-time application in the port industry. Their relationships are then examined using the available records since the year 2000. Comparisons among different ports over time are carried out using 4-year window analysis. The results are instrumental to decision-makers, providing a way to link performance measurements to operational planning activities and identifying investment areas within ports that can affect income and trade.

Competition, market concentration, and relative efficiency of major container ports in Southeast Asia

This study aims at investigating the degree of market concentration of container ports in Southeast Asia and to associate the concentration tendency with efficient container operations. While Singapore is the busiest container port in the region, its premier position is threatened by the emergence of other container ports in neighbouring countries. Major top ten container ports in Southeast Asia are included in the analysis, and market concentration is evaluated using established measures and analytical techniques such as the Hirschman-Herfindahl Index (HHI), Gini coefficient, and shift-share analysis from 2007 to 2017. A super-efficiency model is then applied to the ports to investigate the association between shift effects and port efficiency. The HHI index indicates that the container port system in Southeast Asia has become ‘moderately concentrated’ with a score of 0.21 in 2017, contrasting with an index of 0.27 in 2007 suggesting it was ‘highly concentrated’ indicating a tendency towards de-concentration. ‘Super efficiency DEA’ results suggest that Laem Chabang and Singapore ports are ‘efficient’ exhibiting efficiency scores higher than one, while the other eight ports are ‘less efficient’. It is also found from the association of the net-shift effects and efficiency scores that Laem Chabang is the only port that is efficient and gaining market share, and, more importantly, and perhaps surprisingly, the ports gaining market share are ‘inefficient’. This study contributes to the literature not only by investigating the concentration tendency of the fast growing container port system of Southeast Asia, but also by associating efficiency evaluations with the market concentration.

Evaluating the Environmental Performance and Operational Efficiency of Container Ports: An Application to the Maritime Silk Road.

A major goal for port authorities, operators, and investors is to achieve efficient operations and effective environmental protection. This is because the environmental performance of a container port is important for its competitiveness and sustainable development. However, the container ports along the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) have caused numerous problems with the rapid development, among which the most significant problem is environmental pollution. In this paper, we aim to measure and compare the environmental performance and operational efficiency of ten major container ports along the MSR, including the ports of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kelang, Laem Chabang, Colombo, Dubai, Barcelona, Antwerp, and Hamburg. We develop an improved, inseparable data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with slack-based measures (SBMs) to evaluate and compare the environmental performance and operational efficiency, and we incorporate the desirable output of container throughput as well as the undesirable output of CO2 emission. Our results show that. Overall. these container ports perform better in terms of operational efficiency than environmental performance. We also provide insights for management and policy makers for container ports with different levels of operational efficiency and environmental performance.

Benchmarking the Efficiency of Container Ports in Vietnam

Currently, containerization plays an important role in the development of shipping industry as well as the global seaborne trade all over the world and Vietnam is also no exception. In the period from 2010 to 2015, according to General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the volume of container cargo through Vietnamese seaports had a double growth rate, which was 5.1% higher than the increase of the world. Now, the operational efficiency of container ports in Vietnam should be recognized to understand the condition, strength, weakness, etc. and establish proper strategies in the competitive market environment. This paper aims to investigate the operational efficiency of Vietnamese container ports and recognize benchmarking ports as role models of inefficient ports. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is employed in order to evaluate the relative technical efficiency and the scale efficiency of major container ports in Vietnam. Port data such as container cargo throughput (TEU), container yard area (m2),berth length (m), quay crane (No.), yard crane (No.) and reach stacker (No.) as of 2017 are collected from Vietnam Maritime Administration and Vietnam Seaports Association. The results of this study provide information and guideline for improving container port management and establishing operational plans at local as well as national levels.

Competitive intensity and inefficiency in European container ports

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationship between intensity of competition and technical efficiency of large European container ports, accounting for regional diversities and spatial aspects of inter-port competition. Design/methodology/approach The analysis consists of applying a stochastic production frontier approach to a dataset of 77 large European container ports over the period 2002-2012, with inefficiency terms simultaneously modeled as a function of (among other factors) a constructed index of competitive intensity at different spatial levels. Findings The results indicate that there is no significant negative effect of competitive intensity on efficiency. In fact, for competing European ports within a proximity of 300 km, a higher level of competition is found to be associated with a higher level of technical efficiency. Originality/value The originality of the paper stems from its particular focus on European port regions and its novel findings in this context, which have implications for the discussions regarding pro-competitive port policy and regulation in the European Union.

EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER PORTS OF TAIWAN AND SURROUNDING AREAS BY FUZZY DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS

International container ports are critical hubs for global logistics, and high efficiency is a particularly important requirement for managing these ports. International container ports in Taiwan and surrounding areas have to deal with increasingly larger amounts of cargo in recent years. As a result, it has become more difficult to measure these ports' efficiency. This study offers a new approach for measuring the efficiency of international ports. Twelve international container ports in Taiwan and surrounding areas were chosen as the samples, and their six inputs (application service process, service personnel ability, service personnel attitude, advisory services, harbor rates and stevedoring rates), and seven outputs (tug boat operation, rope untwisting operation, pilot operation, stevedoring efficiency, low damage rate for goods, awaiting unloading and working, and service flexibility) are analyzed herein with fuzzy data envelopment analysis (DEA). This approach allows objective and easy measurement of international container port efficiency.

Efficiency Analysis with Different Models: The Case of Container Ports

This paper estimates and compares the technical efficiency of the container ports using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) models and check the role of the characteristics of infrastructure on container port efficiency. The comparisons are based on cross-sectional data for 26 world’s major container ports in 2015 using an input variables related to the characteristics of port infrastructure, such as: the total quay length (meter), the maximum alongside depth (meter), the total terminal area (square meter) and the storage capacity thousand Twenty-foot equivalent unit (thousand TEU/year). The result represents the mean DEA-SFA efficiency differential. DEA-BCC model results indicate that 16 container ports have more than 0.5 score efficiency while with the SFA models all container ports achieved score efficiency more than 0.5. The results show that SFA models improve the score technical efficiency of the container ports. The most efficient container ports in 2015 are Shanghai and Shenzhen achieved the high value technical efficiency with an undetectable difference.

Environmental efficiency analysis of Chinese container ports with CO2 emissions: An inseparable input-output SBM model

We adopt an inseparable input–output slack–based measure model to estimate the environmental efficiencies of eight container ports in China during 2005–2014. Empirical results show that the pure technical environmental efficiency (PTEE) of container ports is low with a mean value of 0.567. Small differences are found among the ports in different regions. The Bohai Bay Rim port cluster shows the highest PTEE with a mean value of 0.601, followed by the Southern and Pearl River Delta port cluster, and the Yangtze River Delta port cluster with the lowest efficiency and a mean value of 0.537. The effect of input inefficiency on the PTEE of the eight container ports is greater than that of output inefficiency. CO2 inefficiency is 0.226 in Tianjin port but is as high as 0.206 in Ningbo port. In addition, Guangzhou and Dalian ports show low CO2 inefficiency of below 0.1. Different container ports present dissimilar CO2 emission reduction potentials. Most container ports exhibit excessive CO2 emissions in significantly different levels. Shanghai and Shenzhen ports should reduce 230,644 and 181,828 tons of CO2, respectively. A few target policies for improving the environmental efficiency of China's container ports are also proposed.

Measuring the total factor productivity for international seaport in South East Asia (ASEAN)

Aim: The goal of this paper is to quantify the contribution of ports to GDP in three different nations. Singapore’s port, Malaysia’s Bintulu port, and Thailand’s Leamchabang port are the ASEAN ports examined in this paper.Methodology: Cargo throughput (tons) is the output variable, and the four inputs (ship count, vessel handled capacity (DWT: Dead Weight Tonnage), number of employees per terminal, and terminal area) are all described in the published data (m2). The weighted aggregative technique is used to construct inputs and outputs data details.Findings: Progress in port efficiency in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand is demonstrated by the findings. Singapore’s port is the most productive of the three and has the least disruption to throughput (TFP).Novelty/Implications: While trade and maritime transport cooperation between Korea and ASEAN has been strengthened, little research has been conducted on analyzing container port efficiency in ASEAN. Since this is the first study of its kind in ASEAN, it can be considered the beginning of port studies in the region. Based on these findings, we can select candidate cities and nations for a port cooperation initiative on a global scale.