Efficiency Of Seaports Research Articles

An Analysis of the Impact of Seaport Efficiency on Nigeria’s Economic Growth.

This research is driven by the objective to assess the impact of the seaport efficiency on Nigeria’s economic growth. The western ports of Lagos are selected as the Decision-Making Units (DMU) for this study covering the period of 2000 to 2020. Two stage estimation process is employed. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was deployed in the first stage to generate the efficiency index required to test the relationships. In the second stage, the efficiency index so generated is introduced as one of the independent variables in a multiple regression model, using Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL). The finding shows that seaport efficiency has a negative but significant relationship with economic growth in both the long run and short run. The study concludes that seaport efficiency has an inverse relationship with Nigeria’s economic growth. The result of this study suggests that reforms may not have deepened the level of efficiency in the Nigerian seaport to drive positive economic growth, hence the recommendation for further investment in the terminal operational equipment and technological infrastructure to drive further efficiency in the sector.

Comparative analysis of hub and spoke seaport performance in Nigeria: Case of Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port

Purpose: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the operational performance of two major seaports in Lagos, Nigeria – Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port – using specific port performance indicators. Methodology: The study employs the Cobb-Douglas production function and the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method to analyse data sourced from the Nigeria Ports Authority's operational bulletin records. The analysis was conducted using E-view software version 10.0. Results: The findings indicate that cargo throughput, used as the dependent variable, has a strong positive linear relationship with ship traffic, berth occupancy, turnaround time, and the number of employees. The R2 value is 85.89% for Apapa Port and 98.79% for Tin Can Island Port, suggesting that Tin Can Island Port is more productive. Theoretical Contribution: This study contributes to the field of maritime transport and logistics by providing empirical evidence on the efficiency and productivity of Nigerian seaports. It highlights the importance of modern infrastructure and effective port operations in enhancing seaport performance. Practical Implications: The study recommends that the Nigerian government should focus on reducing port congestion, improving road conditions leading to the ports, and streamlining port documentation processes. These measures are essential for enhancing the operational efficiency of Nigerian seaports.

Navigating prosperity: the impact of seaport efficiency on economic growth in Ghana’s maritime landscape

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of seaport efficiency on economic growth in Ghana over the period 2006–2020.Design/methodology/approachComprehensive methodology, diverse data analysis techniques, including Augmented Dickey–Fuller tests, autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) modeling and Granger Causality, were applied to explore the intricate relationship between Seaport Efficiency and Economic Growth.FindingsThe findings reveal a statistically significant and positive association between seaport efficiency and GDP, underscoring the crucial role of efficient seaport operations in actively stimulating economic growth. Beyond seaport efficiency, influential factors such as capital, human capital, knowledge spillover and productive capacities were identified, contributing to the dynamics of economic growth.Research limitations/implicationsThe Granger Causality Test solidifies seaport efficiency as a robust predictor of GDP fluctuations, emphasizing its significance in economic forecasting. Notably, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge with its nuanced exploration of the intricate relationship between seaport efficiency and economic growth in the specific context of Ghana.Practical implicationsThis study’s implications extend beyond academia, offering invaluable guidance for policymakers and planners. It serves as a comprehensive roadmap for informed decision-making, emphasizing the pivotal role of efficient seaports in charting a trajectory for enduring and resilient economic progress in the nation.Originality/valueWhile the broader theme has been explored in existing literature, the uniqueness of this study lies in its specific application to the Ghanaian context. The choice of Ghana, a nation where maritime transport handles over 90% of trade, underscores the significance of understanding seaport efficiency in this regional and economic setting. The study’s originality is reinforced by incorporating diverse economic variables, aligning with recommendations for a comprehensive analysis of factors influencing port performance.

The dynamics of port competition and efficiency in Vietnam amidst COVID-19: a decadal analysis

Vietnamese seaports play an important role as crossroads for import, export and transformation in delivery from maritime transport to rail, road and inland waterway transport. Over the last two decades, the seaport system has been reformed with the participation of private and foreign investors. Consequently, this issue enhances competition between seaports and brings changes to the seaports’ operations. In this article, the relationship between seaport competition and efficiency is examined in the context of Vietnam, an emerging market economy. The longitudinal data from 2011 to 2022 is collected to quantify the competition degree of Vietnamese seaports and Data Envelopment Analysis is used to measure seaport efficiency. A number of measures are used to quantify the competition level of the seaport system over time, including concentration ratio, Gini index, and Hirschman-Herfindahl Index. Besides, market share at both national and regional levels and distance to the nearest competing seaport are criteria of port-level competition. The results advocate an increasing trend of seaport competition in Vietnam. Moreover, based on Tobit regression models, the competition among seaports relates positively to efficiency using both the 2021-2022 and 2015-2016 data sets. Under the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of external factors on seaport efficiency is insignificant and inconsistent due to the disruption of logistics systems and disrupted links to the outside environment.

Understanding the Nexus between Seaport Efficiency and Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export Performance: A Case study of Lagos Seaports 2000 -2020

This research focused on assessing the relationship between seaport efficiency and Nigeria’s non-oil export. The western ports of Lagos were selected as the Decision-Making Units (DMU) for this study covering the period of 2000 to 2020. Two stage estimation process was employed. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was deployed in the first stage to generate the efficiency index required to test the relationships. In the second stage, the efficiency index so generated was introduced as one of the independent variables in a multiple regression model, using Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL). The finding shows that seaport efficiency has a positive and significant relationship with non-oil export in the long run and a positive but insignificant relationship with non-oil export in the short run. The study concluded that seaport efficiency has a direct and positive impact on Nigeria’s non-oil export. This study therefore recommended the effective implementation of reforms of critical infrastructure particularly the transportation sector for improved efficiency by the federal and state governments; the deepening and close monitoring of the concessionaires by the Nigerian Ports Authority, to meet their investment and operational expectation in the concession agreement.

Solving the Inter-Terminal Truck Routing Problem for Delay Minimization Using Simulated Annealing with Normalized Exploration Rate

The growth in containerized shipping has led to the expansion of seaports, resulting in the emergence of multiple terminals. While multi-terminal systems increase port capacity, they also pose significant challenges to container transportation, particularly in inter-terminal movements. Consequently, the transportation delay of containers in inter-terminal operations demands crucial attention, as it can adversely affect the efficiency and service levels of seaports. To minimize the total transportation delays of the inter-terminal truck routing problem (ITTRP), we introduce simulated annealing with normalized acceptance rate (SANE). SANE improves the exploration capability of simulated annealing (SA) by dynamic rescaling of the transportation delay objective to modify the acceptance probability. To validate the quality of solutions provided by SANE, we have developed a mathematical model that provides a set of linear formulations for ITTRP constraints, avoiding the known set-partitioning alternative. Experimental results showed that for small-scale ITTRP instances, SANE achieved a solution close to the optimal. In larger instances with 100–120 orders, SANE found feasible suboptimal solutions within 15–21 seconds, which is unattainable using the exact solver. Further comparison with baselines indicates that SANE provides considerable improvements compared to both SA and Tabu search in terms of the objective value.

Environmental efficiency of seaports correcting estimation biases: Weak disposability and bootstrapping method

Environmental efficiency of seaports correcting estimation biases: Weak disposability and bootstrapping method

Market access and seaport efficiency: the case of container handling in Norway

Comprehensive studies on the impact of market access on port efficiency are scarce, and the problem that market access indicators are potentially endogenous lacks treatment in maritime economics. This paper offers both theoretical and empirical advances to fill these research gaps. First, it pioneers in the use of Stochastic semi-Nonparametric Envelopment of Z variables Data for measuring port efficiency, and further develops the methodology for panel data and proposes an instrumental variable extension for dealing with endogenous market access indicators. Second, it advances the empirical port literature by developing a unique panel dataset on Norwegian container ports encompassing a comprehensive set of foreland and hinterland connectivity measures. Our comprehensive assessment suggests that the role of market access in determining port efficiency is uncertain.

СТАРТАП-ПРОЄКТИ В СИСТЕМІ РОЗВИТКУ ТРАНСПОРТНОЇ ІНФРАСТРУКТУРИ УКРАЇНИ

The implementation of innovative projects, in particular startup projects, plays an important role in the development of the economy of a modern state. Transport and its infrastructure are a strategic area of a country's economy. Innovative development is relevant for the transport infrastructure of Ukraine. The purpose of the article is to investigate the potential for the development of startup projects in the functioning of the transport infrastructure and to assess the potential of public-private partnerships for ensuring the innovative development of Ukraine's transport sector.The study is based on the use of general scientific and special scientific methods of scientific knowledge. The method of system analysis was used to study the preconditions for the innovative development of the Ukrainian transport infrastructure. The system-structural method was used to study basic measures to develop startup projects.The state of development of Ukraine's innovative sector has been analyzed. The weaknesses and strengths, prerequisites for the restoration and strengthening of Ukraine's innovation potential are systematized. Weak state institutions, an unfavorable environment for innovative business conduct, an unfriendly financial system are threats to the development of the country's innovation potential and its transport infrastructure.The implementation of startup projects is a prerequisite for the successful functioning and progress of the economy on innovative principles. Factors that restrain the development of the national startup industry have been systematized. Slow development of the innovation ecosystem, a decrease in budgetary support for education and science, migration processes caused by war can destroy the advantages of the country in the innovation sector.The principles of public-private partnerships in the implementation of innovative projects, in particular startups, are defined in the article. The limitations and conditions for the innovative development of Ukraine's transport infrastructure are justified. The transport infrastructure has suffered significant damage during the war, and its resto ration should take place using innovative technologies. The absence of effective programs for using the mechanism of public-private partnerships in conditions of limited financial resources is an obstacle to the implementation of innovative projects.Conditions and peculiarities of forming startup platforms in the transportation sector are considered. The implementation of innovative projects aimed at improving the energy efficiency of seaports in accordance with the concept of the «blue economy» is investigated. Increasing the stability of the transportation system is a relevant task of the modern era. Improving the tools of public-private partnership in the field of innovative development of transportation infrastructure is a prerequisite for reviving the country's economic system. The system of effective tools for such a partnership is the subject of further research. Keywords: startup projects, innovations, innovative projects, transport infra-structure, development

Seaport efficiency, port throughput, and economic growth in Africa

Seaport efficiency, port throughput, and economic growth in Africa

The effects of seaport efficiency on trade performance in Africa

ABSTRACT Seaports and their efficiency remain essential for the success of international trade globally. Notwithstanding this outcome, there is no empirical evidence on how seaport efficiency affect trade performance in Africa. This paper presents an empirical evidence of the effects of seaport efficiency on trade performance in Africa. To do so, we use data on 33 African countries for the period 2006 to 2018 and employ the gravity model for the empirical analysis. The results show that seaport efficiency enhances trade performance in Africa; the greater the level of seaport efficiency, the larger the extent of trade performance. Based on this finding, it is recommended that policy reforms that improve the efficiency of seaports in Africa should be targeted by policymakers.

The impact of trade on African welfare: Does seaport efficiency channel matter?

This paper examines the role of seaport efficiency in the relationship between trade and welfare outcomes in Africa. Data on 28 African countries for the period 2006 to 2018 is employed while the system generalized method of moments estimation technique is used for the empirical analysis. The paper reveals that seaport efficiency and trade enhances welfare outcomes directly in Africa. More importantly, the paper finds that seaport efficiency complements trade to have its largest positive impact on welfare outcomes in Africa in both the short and long run periods. Based on these findings, we suggest that policies aimed at using trade to enhance welfare should pay a critical attention to efficiency of African seaports by increasing investment in seaport infrastructure, space for container vessels, container terminal capacity to reduce time delays at seaports, the number of total ship services, and port surfaces and depths of water areas to serve ships at seaports, is what officials of ports and harbour authorities, regional economic communities, the African continental free trade area, and other organizations that champions international trade should consider in their policy reforms.

A Network-Based Model for Optimization of Container Location Assignment at Inland Terminals

The development of inland terminals helps seaports mitigate inevitable storage capacity problems, extending their gravitational field and strengthening their competitive advantage. Optimizing the container storage, efficiency, and productivity of seaports and inland terminals is becoming increasingly important. The present paper develops a network-based mathematical model to optimize the location assignment of inbound containers at inland terminals. The model’s assumptions are based on the analysis of criteria at representative European inland terminals, and the model aims to reduce unproductive manipulations. The present study is one of the few to develop a single model that integrates all important criteria for container location assignment, including a container’s dimensions, its occupancy, cargo type, the container’s owner, and distance to the final user. These criteria are important for the terminal operator so that they can determine container locations in a way that minimizes unproductive manipulations. Data from a single inland terminal were used to validate the model within the FlexSim CT simulation environment. Our results suggest that the model can reduce unproductive manipulations and associated costs at inland terminals.

Seaport efficiency and competitiveness in European seaports

The measurement and assessment of seaport efficiency and competitiveness have been the subject of many academic works in port economics. This study aimed to benchmark and measure the efficiency and competitiveness of the largest 30 container ports in Europe over the period 2005–2018. The technical efficiency of the sample container ports was estimated by the DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) window analysis. Then, the obtained efficiency scores were introduced as explanatory variables with 8 other variables to explain the competitiveness of these ports using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Our findings suggest that handling costs is considered to be the most influential factor for competitiveness. Moreover, our estimates showed that efficiency is negatively correlated with the third axis of competitiveness which strengthens the fact that the Northern European seaports are found to be more competitive and less efficient. This may explain the over-investment and excessive use of inputs phenomena in order to provide customers with a higher quality of service.

The impact of specialization, ownership, competition and regulation on efficiency: a case study of Indian seaports

We develop a two-stage formulation to estimate seaport performance and to understand the drivers of efficiency, which could potentially include specialization, ownership, competition and tariff regulation. The first-stage non-parametric, slacks-based measure estimates the technical efficiency of each port. For the second-stage analysis, we develop a set of contextual variables including an absolute measure of specialization and a berth-level measure of ownership structure. To measure competition, we develop spatial measures that quantify the level of competition as a function of distance. We subsequently apply this formulation to major Indian seaports, covering a period of 21 years, from 1995 to 2015. The first-stage results suggest that average seaport efficiency has increased gradually over time. The second-stage fixed effects regressions show that specialization and external stakeholder participation have significant positive impacts on seaport performance. Perhaps surprisingly, we find that, in a tiered governance framework, competition between major seaports and local seaports has a significant negative impact on performance, potentially due to excessive infrastructure. Finally, changes in the regulatory mechanism over time are shown to be efficiency improving.

Seaport efficiency and the trade balance in Africa

Seaports and their efficiency are particularly important for international trade flows and the trade balance. Notwithstanding the efficiency of seaports, there exists no empirical evidence on how it influences the trade balance. This paper provides empirical evidence on the effect of seaport efficiency on the trade balance in a sample of 27 African countries for the period 2010-2017. We do this with the aid of the dynamic system Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimation technique, which addresses potential endogeneity of regressors. The results suggest that seaport efficiency improves the trade balance in the short- and long-run periods. From a policy-oriented point of view, enhancing the efficiency of seaports in Africa is what policy reforms should target.

Sustainable digital transformation of the port equipment management system

The subjects of the transport space are developing new tasks, which are due to the accelerated introduction of digital technologies in the economic and social spheres. The article is devoted to the consideration of issues related to the need for digitalization of port equipment and seaports in general. The main advantages and disadvantages of digital transformation are highlighted. Also, the article contains examples of the use of digital technologies in Russian and foreign seaports. Conclusion is made about the need to improve the efficiency of seaports through digital transformation and interaction of subjects within the new digital space.

Значение цифровых технологий в логистике морских портов

Relevance. The article examines the impact of digitalization on the logistics activities of seaports. Optimization of the working operations of seaports is inextricably linked with the efficient movement and processing of a large amount of information between all participants in the logistics chain. The use of electronic document management, "digital twins", digital information platforms are considered in this article as one of the elements of modernization of logistics of seaports. In the Russian Federation, the issues of competitiveness and improving the efficiency of seaports, including using digital technologies, increasing the level of their innovation are particularly relevant. What is the significance of their application in the field under study, is it due to the introduction of "smart" network systems or the possibility of organizing work on a new basis? The purpose of the study is the need to identify the advantages of using digital technologies in the management system of logistics activities of seaports on the example of the Primorsky Territory. Objectives: to conduct a scientometric analysis of scientific articles studying the subject area; to analyze the main approaches to the definition of "digital technologies in logistics"; to identify the advantages of using digital technologies in logistics; to determine their significance for the development of logistics activities in seaports. Methodology. The research methodology is based on an integrated approach, including the analysis of scientific and normative literature, the study of international practice. The methods of comparative and system analysis are used to investigate the logistics activities of the seaports of the region. Results. The paper evaluates the results of a theoretical discussion in the study of the concept of digital technologies in logistics activities. The results of the study of the logistics management system of seaports using digital technologies on the example of the Primorsky Territory in the period 2020-2021 are presented. Conclusions. The main results of the research in the field of digitalization of logistics systems of transport and cargo flows can make a certain contribution to the development of theoretical knowledge in this field. And also to help the managers of seaports in the modernization of logistics activities.

Визначення факторів та показників ефективного функціонування порту

The article emphasizes the lack of a systematic and unified approach to measuring the performance of ports with different properties. The analysis of practical and theoretical approaches and the comparative analysis of indicators of efficiency of port are carried out. Measuring efficiency plays a significant role in assessing production in its current and future state. With the appropriate performance measurement, the system in the organization can be set up to move in the desired direction by analyzing behavioral responses and understanding the impact of different performance indicators on port performance. However, incorrectly defined performance indicators will lead the organization in the wrong direction and cause unforeseen negative consequences. Port efficiency can have a major impact on the region's economic growth, as ports connect maritime transport and inland transport. They are also important suppliers for ships, cargo and inland transport. Port performance analysis gives operators a clear idea of how much port resources are being used and helps them compare their strengths and weaknesses. Measuring port efficiency improves port development and maintains its competitiveness in an increasingly competitive commercial environment. Therefore, it is important to first conduct a comprehensive study to determine the performance of the port, relevant to the activities of ships, cargo and terminals. By assessing the efficiency of ports using certain indicators, you can get an idea of comparing their efficiency, even internationally. A review of practical and theoretical approaches to the comparative analysis of port efficiency indicators over the past three decades and summarized the main differences in these studies found the lack of a systematic and unified approach to measuring the performance of ports with different properties. Recent studies have aimed to analyze the performance of port terminals, as they are the most important component of ports, operations for the transfer of berths and court operations in the terminals fundamentally determine the efficiency of the port. Port bandwidth is one of the most widely used indicators of port efficiency. Productivity growth is seen as direct evidence of port activity. One of the most important aspects of measuring seaport efficiency is performance, and the popular database analysis (DEA) method is commonly used to evaluate it. There are several other models used for cross-sectional and panel data, such as software. To assess port efficiency, this study examines the analysis of the DEA and FDH database through its ability to analyze multiple outputs and inputs simultaneously.

Efficiency and productivity of Nigerian seaports in the pre and post concessioning periods

ABSTRACT Seaports pose as important connectors of value chains in the international trade of nations, therefore operational port efficiency is a critical contributor to a nation’s international competitiveness. In order to support trade-oriented economic development, port authorities have increasingly been under pressure from stakeholders to improve port operational efficiency by ensuring port services are provided on an internationally competitive basis. The main objective of port concessioning and/or deregulation policies is enhancing greater port operational efficiency by engendering a more competitive market and commercial approach to management. This paper uses Stochastic Frontier Production and inefficiency models to evaluate the port efficiency and productivity of the major Nigerian seaports using panel data from 2000 to 2017 which covers the pre and post concessioning periods. The results show improvements in the average efficiency of the ports from about 51% (pre-concession) to about 60% (post-concession). There were improvements in cargo throughput, turnaround time and cargo handling equipment. Albeit these improvements, there are still challenges of dearth of skilled manpower, inadequate infrastructure, congestion, operational bottlenecks etc. It is therefore important the government and stakeholders in the maritime sector collaborate to evolve policies through regulations, guidelines and legislation to achieve efficient, effective and competitive ports to attain desired economic growth.