Port Performance Research Articles

Sensitivity analysis of performance of Nigerian ports using data envelopment analysis

With cognizance to some differences among the ports and complexities in productivity measurement, the research tries to identify and evaluate productive issues in terms of technical efficiencies (managerial efficiency) and scale efficiencies (managerial and allocative efficiency) experienced at individual Nigeria ports. It equally provided a technical benchmark for assessing the overall efficiencies of the respective ports in Nigeria during the pre-concessioned and post-concessioned era. The level of inputs required for each DMU to be efficient is given i.e. for DMU 2014 to be efficient input-wise, the number of berth may be reduced by two units as a result of idleness of this two (2) berths, the average turnaround time may be reduced by 3 hours and the berth occupancy may be reduced by 3%. Since a fixed asset such as berth cannot be reduced therefore technically and complimentarily the turnaround time and berth occupancy rate need to be decreased more than 5hours and 3% respectively by allocating the queue ship at the over-utilized berth to the idle berths which in turn will mitigate underutilization of this berths been required to be reduced or alternatively the port should embrace more cargo handling technology to enhance fast loading and discharging of cargoes thus attracting more vessels to the Port.

The efficiency analysis of world top container ports using two-stage uncertainty DEA model and FCM

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated model to measure the operational efficiency of the top 40 container ports in the world for a five-year continuous period using a two-stage uncertainty data envelopment analysis (UDEA) combined with fuzzy C-means clustering method (FCM). Design/methodology/approach UDEA model is adopted for measuring the efficiency of container ports to overcome the limitation of the basic model, which is unable to handle uncertain data that are easy to meet in practice. FCM algorithm is implemented to find similar distribution efficiency scores of two stages and the cluster similar efficiency scores of container ports into various groups. Findings The combination of the two-stage UDEA model and the FCM algorithm provided a more comprehensive view when evaluating the performance of container ports. The UDEA results show that most of the container ports have reduced their profitability level in the second stage and most of the efficient container ports have turned into inefficient ones because of their small scale. Originality/value This paper proposes using the two-stage UDEA model to evaluate port efficiency based on two main aspects of productivity and profitability. Moreover, it combines DEA and FCM algorithms to offer a more comprehensive view when measuring the performance of container ports.

A framework for ensuring zero defects and sustainable operations in major Indian ports

PurposePorts are a significant link in a global supply chain and an economic entity that contributes to the country's economy. India has around 200 ports along its coastline of about 8,000 Km, yet none of them perform at par with many Asian ports. In the Indian port system, cargo throughput and the turnaround time (TAT) of ships calling at ports constitute the most significant performance measures. These performance metrics do not integrate sustainability measures such as emission levels and energy consumed. The draft is a constraint in many ports and ships visit with less than full shipload cargo. The TAT for such vessels may be lower, but the emission per ton of cargo carried is higher compared to a ship with full shipload cargo. Many ports have old or poorly maintained equipment. This state of equipment increases pollution and consumption of energy. In this paper, an attempt has been made to address the issue of undesirable and right outputs simultaneously in an Indian port system. This paper proposes a framework to ensure zero defects in Indian port operations and a port-sustainability-index to measure sustainable services in Indian ports.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used data envelopment analysis (DEA) to show that all private terminals did not perform efficiently and contradicted the notion of Indian policymakers that privatization will lead to an increase in performance levels. A literature review was carried out to identify the dimensions and factors that affect ports' performance. A case study of a major port in India and expert group discussion was done to ascertain the views of stakeholders on deficiencies in the system. The authors complemented this approach with sentiment analysis of opinions expressed by stakeholders over a while, using SentiStrength analysis software (Thelwell, 2010, 2012). The authors used the combined findings to develop the port-sustainability-index (PSI), identify the research question, and develop an ontology of the port system. The authors use the concepts of ontology-design-pattern (ODP) and logistics-service-map (Glöckner et al., 2014; Glöckner and Ludwig, 2016, 2017), opinion mining (Pang and Lee, 2008) and competency questions (Glöckner and Ludwig, 2017) to develop a port system map followed by the identification of critical elements; and the flows (physical and information flow) that gets disrupted due to defects in the system. The ontology led to the identification of competencies and capabilities a port needs to possess. Based on these identification process competency questions were drawn, and the authors identified the plausible defects that port may encounter. The authors suggested the sustainability metrics for monitoring port performance and policy changes based on the competency questions, defects, and mitigation plans.FindingsThe authors introduced four KPIs, namely, port-sustainability-index (PSI), load factor (lx and ly), draft ratio (dr), and turnaround-time ratio (TATR). The authors suggested significant policy changes for Indian ports. These included –(1) Introduction of virtual arrival (VA) policy, reducing randomness in the system by pre-scheduling arrivals and activities. (2) Redefining economic life of equipment and machinery in terms of expenditure, income and desired levels of output. (3) Pricing port charges based on stakeholders’ ability and willingness to pay. The port needs to declare its productivity levels and frame their charges accordingly. (4) The ports need to frame an output-oriented privatization policy where it specifies the growth of the port. (5) Framing vessel pricing policy where a vessel may pay tax for the use of non-clean fuel or a get discount for bringing higher parcel load. (6) Levy lower port charges for the shipper for transporting cargo by rail and barges. (7) Introduce a differential pricing system where port levies lower charges for export cargo compared to import load.Research limitations/implicationsThe research work can be extended to develop a simulation model to carry out policy experimentations concerning the improvement of performance and carry out sustainable operations. Alternatively, researchers may develop a multi-criteria optimization model to determine the best course of action, keeping the objective function as minimization of PSI value.Practical implicationsThis paper provides the means to the Indian ports to remain competitive, lower emission levels and energy consumption, and optimize emission per ton of cargo handled in the port.Social implicationsSociety significantly benefits from this study as it recommends ways to minimize pollution that has a significant impact on human lives. Besides, the measures suggested in the paper will lower the cost of exports and imports, enhancing the real income of consumers.Originality/valueThe area of sustainable port operations has previously been under-researched in the Indian context. Authors contribute to the sustainable port operation literature by suggesting a port-sustainability-index, a framework to assess the defects in port operation and development of a port-ontology for further research in the area of a port system.

Developing a comprehensive approach to port performance assessment

This paper investigates the port performance assessment and proposes a comprehensive framework with various perspectives as well as priority distributions of stakeholders’ expectations in port business and operations. One fundamental questions in port performance studies is how to evaluate and quantify intangible indicators on performance. There are definitely inputs and outputs, which may be measured and evaluated through conventional instruments. However, each instrument deals with a particular aspect of whole performance problem (e.g. port efficiency, port productivity,), and many of these instruments are limited to ‘measurable’ data on port management and operations. In this paper, these two common problems are put under the scope, and a comprehensive port performance assessment scheme is established by gathering various perspectives. Quality function deployment (QFD) approach is preferred to formulize the problem and define priority ratings of expectations by each stakeholder in the port domain. The framework can contribute to a broader understanding of ports as business units, its development drivers and interaction with community neighbors, and to shed light to port performance assessment considering both public and private entities.

Investigation of Iranian Ports Performance in Oil Exchanges Using Data Envelopment Analysis

Investigation of Iranian Ports Performance in Oil Exchanges Using Data Envelopment Analysis

The Mediatory Role of Supply Chain Collaboration between Human Resource Management Practices and Port Performance

The main objective of the study to investigate the mediating role of supply chain collaboration (SCC) between human resource management practices (HRMP) and port performance (PP) in Kingdome of Saudi Arabia (KSA) ports based on the assumption of Maslow hierarchy needs and Adams ‘equity theories. The 221 data a has collected from different firms which are engaged with KSA ports logistics. The data has investigated to apply smartpls-3. The study found the full mediation role of SCC between HRMP and PP. Furthermore, the study revealed the positive and significant relationship between HRMP and SCC. However, the SCC is very important for effective implementation of HRMP and as well as for positive performance of posts in KSA. The future studies should validate current study framework in other context specifically in developing countries to validate the study.

Analysis of import changes through shift-share, location quotient and BCG techniques: Gwangyang Port in Asia

The main aim of this article is to analyze the import changes of Gwangyang Port using shift-share, location quotient and BCG matrix techniques. We perform the standard shift-share analysis and spatial shift-share analysis for the period 2010–2018 and investigate the import performance of Gwangyang Port for coal, iron ore, natural gas and vegetable matter. The static analysis shows that the regional shift effect, which is the most important component, is negative for coal and iron ore, but positive for natural gas and vegetable matter. The spatial shift-share analysis also indicates that Gwangyang Port experiences not only the gains in regional competitiveness but the industrial advantage for iron ore, natural gas and vegetable matter owing to its higher competitiveness. Incorporating location coefficients into BCG matrix for coal imports, we also show that Gwangyang Port succeeds upgrading its position for natural gas and vegetable matter, but fails escaping from transformation category or upgrading its position for coal and iron ore.

Influence of policy, operational and market conditions on seaport efficiency in newly emerging economies: the case of Vietnam

ABSTRACT Located in Southeast Asia as one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world and close to north-south shipping routes, Vietnam’s seaports play a vital role in promoting its international trade and economic growth. And yet, most ports are small and owned by the public sector. Their performance is subject to various factors relating to government policy, operational and market conditions. Although the Government has been trying to improve the sector’s performance through corporatization, its corporatization model is unique in many ways compared with reform models in other countries. This study seeks to analyse the effects of government policy, operational and market conditions among other factors, on Vietnamese seaports’ efficiency. Double-bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA) and univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the data sample of 41 ports for years 2015 and 2016. The analysis results show that the factors of production, regional location and reform policy had a significant impact on port performance.

Exploring the performance and competitiveness of Vietnam port industry using DEA

In the port industry, productivity is one of the vital factors for ports to develop competitiveness and market potential. The paper integrates context-dependent data envelopment analysis and forecasting models to conduct an efficient measurement of 53 Vietnamese ports and predict future performance in the port industry. By using the technique to get the measure of performance, this study builds the ports’ benchmark-learning stepping tools for the inefficient ports to enhance increasingly. The attractiveness and progress scores are resulted to assist the ports in situating themselves. Moreover, forecasting port performance results help decision-makers having more detailed information to make better decisions in their strategies and investments.

Analysis of Torobulu - Tampo Port Service Performance to Improve Mobility of People and Good Movements

South Konawe and Muna Island are strategic locations to make the ASDP Port one of the sea centers in Southeast Sulawesi, but the current performance of the Torobulu port is not maximized in providing services to users. The purpose of this study is to study the performance of the Torobulo Konawe Selatan Port for now. and Provide solutions to the problems of the Torobulu-Tampo port in terms of service to the government. Performance analysis using the Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) method of the analysis method is done by considering the factors of interest and level of satisfaction. The results showed that of the 15 indicators that can be used in quadrant 1 (low priority) is the attitude of officers in serving jobs 3.52 and a value of 4.35, the area of scope with performance of 3.50 and the value of 4.26, supporting facilities in the room wait with a performance value of 3.70 and a value of 4.24, cleanliness of the port area with a performance value of 3.71 and a value of 4.35. Support facilities in the waiting room with a performance value of 3.66 and a value of 4.07.

Protection of Port and Yard Equipment’s and Back to Operational Effectiveness under Abnormal Cyclonic Conditions

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of the cyclones and its influence on port performance. The techniques of percentages and frequencies are applied to 141 cyclones as a sample, obtained from various cyclones happened around the world. The results identify and measure the factors that characterize the operational factors and affects port performance. Factors effecting including service level, partner network, ship services, cargo services, logistics services and advanced services, affect port performance, operational performance, effectiveness and efficiency. The primary contribution of this study deals with analysing the criticality of the cyclone and taking the appropriate measures, considering wind speeds ranging from 20 to 350 km/h. PYE (Port and Yard Equipment) which sub part of the equipment should be locked on safety measures and are more likely to get effected by the wind speeds and the sub equipment parts need to belocking considered are long travel, slew and boom conveyor.

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.

Liner-dedicated manageability estimation for port operational reliability

A container port consists of various sub-systems such as berth, block, gate, etc., which consists of different types of machines where containers are handled. Much research has been conducted on improving operational performance of a container port over the past decades by enhancing the handling efficiency at each sub-system, eliminating unproductive moves, and synchronizing the handshake activities between them. The high operational performance is achieved by efficiently scheduling handling activities of containers for each ship based on standardized operational processes, unless unexpected events disrupt container workflows in the operational processes. Therefore, it is imperative to effectively control the operational processes by looking into the manageability of container workflows. This study employs an event-based learning approach to analyze the operational discrepancy of container workflows in operational processes and estimate operational manageability in view of the proposed management components (i.e., logistics, machine, and time) from the analytical outcomes. The comparative experiments were conducted on a real-world dataset to estimate the operational manageability of a container port for ships of various shipping liners.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND MANAGERIAL ASPECTS OF ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF ENTERPRISES (FOR EXAMPLE, SEAPORTS)

It is established that maritime infrastructure is an important component of the economy of Ukraine, the effective functioning of which is a necessary factor of the determination of Ukraine as a maritime state, the sustainable development of its transport and road complex. It is proved that the efficiency of ports is of utmost importance for the economy of Ukraine, as more than 60% of the Ukrainian products are exported by sea. A more detailed analysis of the efficiency of the seaports is important not only from the commercial point of view of Ukraine as a whole and one particular seaport, but also from the point of view of economic policy in the port industry. It is proved that there is an urgent need to introduce effective and timely reforms of the maritime economy, based on the identification of a complex of factors influencing the processes of strategic development of seaports of Ukraine and aimed at improving the system of management of state-owned enterprises, taking into account world experience, upswinging state regulation of port business, improving the competitiveness of the port business, upgrading the role of maritime transport in using the potential of international transport corridors. The variants of the efficiency criterion of the seaport have been developed, allowing to evaluate the activity of the port in different conditions and to compare the activity of different ports with each other. The efficiency of the criteria is checked, their interrelation is shown and recommendations for their calculation are given. With the help of the offered criteria work efficiency of the Ukrainian and foreign ports is compared, ways of development of the Ukrainian ports are specified. An analysis of the publications and studies carried out on the topic of evaluating port performance shows that most researchers pay attention to economic evaluation criteria. Technical criteria for the port's operational efficiency are considered less frequently and in many cases are not adapted for integral assessment due to the lack of sufficient information. The main aim of the article is to compare the performance of the Ukrainian and foreign ports. Research objectives: to develop objective in-kind performance indicators for ports, allowing them to evaluate port activities in different conditions and compare the activities of different ports with each other; to check the operability of port performance indicators; to compare the performance of Ukrainian and foreign ports with each other using the proposed natural indicators.

The emergence of port engineering in the light of capitalist modernization in Brazil, 1860–1940

This article explores one of the most important dimensions of economic development: the absorption and implementation of port construction techniques and technologies. In it, we examine the process through which Brazil absorbed and developed such techniques, applying them to the construction and equipping of the ports of Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Vitória, three ports that have been active in exporting coffee from the richest region in the country since the nineteenth century. The article also presents an analysis of the development of Brazilian port engineering, the political and corporate activity of the first Brazilian engineers and, finally, the impact of this whole process on the performance of the aforementioned ports. Starting with specific port-themed bibliography, the investigation considered sources such as technical reports and pictures, and also sparse documentation organized under the evidential paradigm, to analyse the period in which the old style colonial ports were replaced by projects for the capitalist modernization of the Brazilian maritime infrastructure, formulated by an emerging national engineering.

The Impact of Information Systems on Port Performance: The Case of Morocco's Agadir Port

The objective of this research paper is therefore to examine the role of information systems in improving the port performance of Agadir. This study highlights how the port supply chain deploying information systems can improve performance by stimulating collaboration between multiple port operators. This research adopted a descriptive survey design. To achieve the objectives of the study, primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The study concludes that the use of information systems reduce vessels stays and improves the productivity of ships at berths. Based on these results, the study concludes that the capacity to use and manage information systems in a much more effective and efficient way can improve the performance of the kingdom's port.

REGIONAL PORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES: A CASE STUDY OF BRANTA PORT DEVELOPMENT

Branta Port, located in Pamekasan Madura, is a connecting port area around Java Island and Madura Island. The port has an important role in logistics and supply chain activities as well as economic development in Indonesia, especially in Java and Madura. But the reality is Branta Port has some shortcomings in the port facilities to security sector. It based on the lack of regulation enforcement of the port management itself. The lack of renewal of the port master plan is also one of the obstacles to the port's poor performance. Therefore, with this research, it is expected to obtain a broad picture of the development strategy at the Branta Port. The methods are Location Quotient (LQ) & ships loading and discharge at port forecast using several forecasting analysis. The results show the ships call, loading and discharge flow at Branta Port have a fluctuating pattern follow the seasonal trends in salt production activities in Madura region. Where in 2039 (long-term) the loading and discharge flow at Branta Port is predicted to reach 380,927 tons which in 2018 amounted to 139,855 tons. The results of the port performance calculation are performed using port performance indicators called Berth Occupancy Ratio (BOR), where the BOR value from year to year to the long-term forecasting year (2039) is 22.08%, which is still below 40% for an additional indicates that the jetty is not busy according to UNCTAD criteria. Whereas the need for port facilities such as warehouses and stacking fields has increased. The development strategy focused on port facilities such as the berth length expansion from 100m to 186m, construction of port warehouses of 183m2, improvement of several port facilities such as navigation facilities and causeways, also the addition of port waste treatment facilities.Keywords: Location Quotient, forecasting, econometric method, Berth Occupancy Ratio

The impact of port community systems (PCS) characteristics on performance

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of the port community system (PCS) and its influence on port performance. The techniques of principal component analysis and structural equation modelling are applied to 153 valid responses from a sample, obtained from Portuguese port community experts. The results identify and measure the factors that characterize the PCS and affects port performance. PCS characteristic, including service level, partner network, ship services, cargo services, logistics services and advanced services, affect port performance, defined as operational performance, effectiveness and efficiency. The primary contribution of this study is to show the mechanisms that allow ports to adjust and evolve the PCS characteristics and develop new features that affect port performance.

Port performance in Brazil: A case study using data envelopment analysis

Department of Economics Sao Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Humanities and Sciences, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau, km 1

Operational strategies for managing container terminals. An approach based on closed queueing networks.

The port performance can be improved by a well-defined operations plan. We present a closed Jackson network (CJN) approach to analyse port operations from vessel to yard. The tool is not only focused on the berthing line, but also on the service level at the storage yard. It aims to determine the best way to operate a containership using two crucial parameters: container stowage and truck traffic. Thus, the CJN model determines the impact of cargo stowage on port performance (μ1) and the impact of traffic on port performance (μ2). Both are crucial to set the best strategy and ensure the efficient use of handling equipments. The CJN model is flexible in the sense that managers may plan different scenarios. The study suggests that terminal operators can achieve substantial benefits by means of the best resource allocation in each scenario.