Port Sector Research Articles

Port service quality (PSQ) and customer satisfaction: an exploratory study of container ports in Vietnam

Purpose This study aims to investigate the concept of port service quality (PSQ) and examine its influence on customer satisfaction in the container port sector in Vietnam. Despite the importance of the maritime industry in which port is a critical sector in the national economy, there has been no research so far which examines what PSQ entails and how it affects customer satisfaction in the context of Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach Following a literature review, a conceptual model of PSQ and its influence on customer satisfaction was proposed. A survey questionnaire was then developed and piloted with senior executives who are working in various container shipping lines and logistics companies in Vietnam. The questionnaire was first designed in English and then refined through the process of translation and back-translation to ensure language non-discrepancies. The survey was administered to 200 members of Vietnam Shipowners’ Association, Vietnam Logistics Associations and Vietnam Shippers’ Council. By the cut-off date, 108 questionnaires were received, in which 99 valid replies were used for further analysis. Findings Results from this study reveal that PSQ is a construct of 4 factors and 16 items, and that enhanced PSQ will positively influence customer satisfaction, in which the outcomes of port service performance and its image would have the greatest impact. Interestingly, most items relating to social and environmental responsibility were dropped, and this result is expected in the context of a developing country like Vietnam. Originality/value Findings from this research may enhance port managers’ understanding on areas of PSQ to improve so as to meet and exceed their customers’ satisfaction.

Analysis of Seven International Indonesian Hub Ports Policy Development Impact on Shipping and Port Sector

The Indonesian government has just issued a policy plan of international hub port location, Integrated Port Network (IPN) to suppressing logistic cost. This study examines the IPN impact on shipping and port sectors by the total cost. The methods used in this research are set covering problem and cost comparison between transshipment in Singapore and directly shipped containers through the hub ports. As a result, IPN will be able to decrease the cost of logistics by 8%, which is the total cost of 9,220 billion.Rp/year. The current ships used are 1,500–2,500 TEUs. Meanwhile, the largest ship size by the IPN concept is to 3,000TEUs and the smallest is 300TEUs, the greatest number of ships is on the Priok-Port of Singapore route as many as 14 units. On the port sector, not all designated ports are able to accommodate and serve the 2,000 TEU ships due to the facilities and port infrastructure. At least it costs Rp 1.183 trillion-Rp so that the concept of 7 hub ports can be implemented. After the implementation of IPN will cause a potential loss for both Tj Priok and Tj Perak. On the contrary, IPN will increase the potential throughput of the Kijing, Makassar, Bitung, and Sorong.

Refinement Method of Retaining Wall (L-Shape Concrete) and CCSP Design in Kalimas Quayside Kademeter 1200-1400 Project

As one of the state-owned enterprises (BUMN), PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III (Persero) Regional Jawa Timur has demanded to obtain the considerable revenues using the limited maintenance funds for port facilities. One of the roles of Engineering Division includes the availability of port facilities that support operation division, so it is necessary to check and maintain the facilities. In consequence, the estimated cost and time of project carried out effectively to mitigate the risk level in the future in order to achieve the main objectives. One of the biggest revenues in the port sector is on the quayside facility services, therefore, maintenance of these facilities needs to be prioritized. The final project provides an analysis of cost and time calculations using the method of repairing the retaining wall (L-Shape Concrete) and the CCSP (Coruggated Concrete Sheet Pile) method for repairing damage to Kalimas Kademeter Quayside 1200-1400 with damage length of 176 meters and width of 9 meters. Based on the observation of cost and time analysis, the estimated cost of using the L-Shape Concrete repair method is much cheaper than using the CCSP (Coruggated Concrete Sheet Pile) method, but the actual project period is much longer. Finally, the selection of repair methods can adjust to the necessity of cost and time aspects, as well as the methods of project.

Value Creation through Corporate Sustainability in the Port Sector: A Structured Literature Analysis

Corporate Sustainability (CS) in the port sector has emerged as an important driver behind strategy definition for port authorities globally. It has been argued that CS practices have the potential of delivering value for port users and, as such, grant port operators and port managing entities competitive advantages. There is, however, limited evidence behind this claim. The difficulty with collecting such evidence is that we lack measures of port value creation, and CS metrics have rarely been developed and applied in ports. This paper provides a framework for collecting empirical evidence aimed at assessing in what way CS can benefit port competitiveness. The framework is built on a systematic literature analysis of the past years. The literature analysis exceeds previous comparable contributions by its analytical detail and provides valuable new insights on sustainability in the maritime domain. The research indicates that the accurate measurement of CS initiatives in the port sector is urgent and meaningful. When appropriately measured, the value that CS can deliver to port users becomes apparent. This is, however, often created indirectly via branding, risk mitigation, etc. The paper contributes to academic knowledge as it is the first to develop a rigorous CS measurement framework usable for ports in terms of value.

Variables affecting the plankton network in Mediterranean ports

Attention on port waters is increasing since these economically important infrastructures are embedded in the coastal environment and their management needs to be considered in the monitoring programmes of coastal ecosystems. To implement the sustainable development (blue growth) of port areas, a general knowledge on the ongoing processes in their waters needs to be obtained, considering both abiotic and biotic variables. The present study aimed at inspecting the relationships among plankton components to provide insights into the ecology of ports. Seasonal samplings were carried out in three Mediterranean touristic ports where bacterio-, phyto- and zoo-plankton were simultaneously assessed at a large spatial scale and compared with respect to environmental variables and anthropogenic inputs. Factor analysis revealed the effects of load of inland waters, seasonality, water turbulence and hydrocarbon pollution on the planktonic components and zooplankton variability in port sectors characterized by different depths and uses.

Economic Assessment of Brazilian Public Ports: Value-Based Management

Ports are among the main links of the international logistic chain and, consequently, an important element of economic development. Thus, this study aims to investigate the economic and financial results of Brazilian public ports by evaluating their ability to generate economic value. Therefore, we assessed the port authorities with traditional financial indicators as well as with Economic Value Added (EVA) indicators, aiming to assess companies’ ability to create wealth for ports’ capital investors. Findings indicate that, despite the satisfactory financial situation, such results are not due to the businesses’ operation, but most likely due to governmental subsidies. Port authorities also showed inefficiency to remunerate the capital invested. The study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the discussion about the economic and financial management of public ports and the use of public resources in the port sector.

How «Belt» and «Road» are Related Economically: Modelling and Policy Implications

We propose an analytical model to capture the relationship between the «Belt» and the «Road» in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). We show that the short-term minimum subsidies received by the terminal operator companies (TOCs) of the new railways depend on the market conditions in the existing port sector. Specifically, the subsidies are affected by the external shipping demand, the shipping freight rate, and the number of TOCs at the existing port. The level of subsidy and the shippers’ sensitivity to time and price play a significant role when determining the social benefit from the BRI. Furthermore, the region can further benefit from the construction or improvement of the railways when the rail TOC could compete with the existing port TOCs. The welfare gain arises from the improvement in service quality (decrease in delay costs), reduction in road transport costs, and decrease in shipping price resulting from competition. The policy and economic implications of separate and joint management of the port and rail are discussed.

ANÁLISE ENVOLTÓRIA DE DADOS (DEA) APLICADA A PORTOS: O ESTADO DA ARTE

O desempenho portuário tornou-se fator determinante para o desenvolvimento da economia mundial, visto que o transporte marítimo é o principal elo da cadeia logística global. Assim, o presente artigo tem por objetivo identificar o estado da arte sobre DEA aplicado a portos. Através de levantamento bibliográfico, foram registradas cinquenta e cinco publicações sobre a aplicação deste método de modelagem matemática no setor portuário. Destas, quatorze estudaram os principais portos mundiais e apenas cinco focaram suas análises em portos brasileiros, o que pode ser considerado como uma lacuna de pesquisa. Além disso, constatou-se que a maioria dos estudos estão voltados para sistemas portuários de contêineres. Sendo assim, há oportunidade de exploração da ferramenta DEA para os demais tipos de carga.

Impacts of Anthropogenic Pollutants on Benthic Prokaryotic Communities in Mediterranean Touristic Ports.

Ports and marinas are central nodes in transport network and play a strategic role in coastal development. They receive pollution from land-based sources, marine traffic and port infrastructures on one side and constitute a potential pollution source for the adjacent coastal areas on the other. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic co-contamination on the prokaryotic communities in sediments from three Mediterranean ports. The structure and composition of the bacterial and archaeal communities were assessed by targeted metagenomic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, and the links of prokaryotic communities with environmental and pollution variables were investigated. The harbors presented pronounced site-specificity in the environmental properties and pollution status. Consistently, the structure of archaeal and bacterial communities in surface sediments exhibited a strong spatial variation among the three investigated ports. On the contrary, a wide overlap in composition of prokaryotic assemblages among sites was found, but local variation in the community composition and loss of prokaryotic diversity was highlighted in a heavily impacted port sector near a shipyard. We provided evidences that organic matter, metals and PAHs as well as temperature and salinity play a strong role in structuring benthic bacterial communities significantly contributing to the understanding of their responses to anthropogenic perturbations in marine coastal areas. Among metals, copper was recognized as strongly associated with the observed changes in bacterial assemblages. Overall, this study provides the first assessment of the effects exerted by multiple organic and inorganic contaminations on benthic prokaryotes in ports over a large spatial scale and designates bacterial community as a candidate tool for the monitoring of the sediment quality status in harbors.

A Política Portuaria Europea: os novos desafíos da gobernanza

galegoA Union Europea carece dunha lexislacion unica en materia portuaria, agas disposicions relativas as instalacions portuarias e ao funcionamento de determinados servizos tecnico-nauticos. Europa conta con mais de 1.200 portos, dos que 319 entre globais e basicos estan integrados no conxunto das Redes Transeuropeas de Transporte. Os portos desempenan un rol esencial no tocante aos intercambios comerciais da UE e no que concirne ao servizo de pasaxeiros na medida en que son nos claves na rede comercial mundial. Asi, o 74% das mercadorias extracomunitarias envianse a traves dos portos. O sector portuario europeo non e homoxeneo e repousa sobre diversos modelos organizativos. A diversidade portuaria europea, con diferenciacion significativa en canto a tamano, tipo, organizacion e forma de conectarse, fai dificil definir unha estratexia conxunta para afrontar os grandes retos actuais. O traballo aborda a analise dos avances na construcion dunha politica comun portuaria e asemade exponense as distintas concepcions cruzadas dos actores do negocio maritimo e portuario. EnglishThe EU lacks a single legislation on port matters, except for provisions concerning port facilities and the operations of certain technical port services. Europe has more than 1200 ports, of which 319 are global and basic, integrated into the TransEuropean Transport Networks as a whole. Ports play an essential role in the EU trade and passenger services, as they are key nodes in global trade networks. 74% of non-EU trade takes place through ports. The European port sector is not homogeneous and is based on different organizational models. European port diversity (in term of size and type of organizational) makes it difficult to define a joint strategy. This work addresses the analysis of progress in the construction of a common port policy, as well as the different cross-conceptions of the maritime port business agents.

Assessing policy coherence and coordination in the sustainable development of a Blue Economy. A case study from Timor Leste

The Blue Economy champions the sustainable development of ocean spaces. It is unclear whether this new concept requires a new set of governance principles and policies, or whether existing policy mechanisms can accommodate it. Using Timor Leste as a case study, we examine policy coherence and coordination across a range of maritime sectors. We do so through content analysis of formal instruments, such as legislation and policy documents, and semi-structured interviews with governance actors and organizations. We assess policy coherence by examining whether governance objectives are shared within and across existing sector-based policies, and the extent to which they are consistent with Blue Economy objectives. We explore policy coordination through network analysis of the connections between instruments as well as people. A number of gaps in the Timor Leste policy landscape are apparent, with weak governance around social objectives, particularly in the ports sector. In general, however, the existing governing system appears to be largely consistent with Blue Economy aspirations. In addition, there are existing, highly influential policy documents and organizations that are already playing a critical bridging role between sectors. Strengthening connections between sectoral management arrangements, through boundary organizations and amendments to existing instruments, may therefore be an efficient and pragmatic approach to Blue Economy implementation. This approach would allow more focused attention on plugging policy gaps and addressing deficiencies in the existing system.

Toolbox Talk Enhance Improvement in Productivity-Ports

The purpose of this study is to assess the importance of toolbox talk in enhancing safety culture in port sectors by which the roles is through with fewer the hazards and to boost communication skills among the staff. The toolbox talk not meant for safety issues related talk, we can talk for the best processes of completing a particular job with in the less downtime, and within the available resources. It provides the motivational factors among the workers by taking consideration among their views for ongoing job for any changes require if any for system betterment, by which their moral boosters for recognizing them and involving in the organizational work flow issues. The toolbox talk always emphasis the need to understand that there family members are waiting for return to home from work place hence creating their own safety ownership for more extra care required at work place area. Toolbox talk’s mock drill training programs safe guarding themselves under abnormal conditions of unexpected environmental changes or chemical blasts in the surrounding environment.

Analysis of the port sustainability parameters through Bayesian networks

Abstract European Commission principles included in its European 2020 Strategy (COM:2010) are essential to establish intelligent, sustainable and inclusive transport networks that enhance the social development and territorial cohesion of the Union. Considering the four dimensions of sustainability, port integration into a single system is achieved, allowing their interaction in the changing physical, social and environmental environment in which we live. In this context, ports are called upon to contribute to a more sustainable mobility of goods. The number of variables to be considered in order to carry out the decision making and to make the management of the ports sustainable is very large. However, the strong methodological limitation existing has not allowed the application of this concept, still being a critical aspect. The Bayesian networks are one of the possible methodologies to apply. These networks, allow to obtain the relations between variables graphically in order to determine a posteriori values that quantify their sustainability. Bayesian networks allow the relationships between the variables of port planning and operation related to sustainability to be obtained. These relationships, and especially their relationship through influence diagrams that categorize these relationships by color and flange width, allow them to be used in the decision making of port planners and managers. Adoption of a strategy is not complete without definition of indicators that allow us to assess its level of implementation and its results. Applying these diagrams to the case of Spanish Port System, this article shows the need to incorporate sustainable elements within the tools of the Port Authorities. It is concluded that the most important sustainability category is the institutional category. Behind them are the economic and social categories at the same level, with the environmental category being the last. Considering the influence diagrams, the positive influences obtained show that if the generation of port infrastructure increases, the markets served and the role of the port sector as a revitalizer of port activity increases.

Examining eco-efficiency in the port sector via non-radial data envelopment analysis and the response based procedure for detecting unit segments

Recent public and governmental concerns regarding increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have drawn the attention to environmental issues in port sector literature. Since eco-efficiency improvements play a crucial role in stimulating clean production in this sector, this paper provides a comparative analysis of the eco-efficiency of twenty-four leading container ports in Europe. The exploration of the most prominent determinants of eco-efficiency and the analysis of the heterogeneity of port behaviours represent additional objectives. Further considerations derive from the assumptions on the selection of indicators that can be involved in the comparative analysis and from the involvement of GHGs in the theoretical model. Data from a sample of 52,697 active firms are considered in this empirical work. The model involves a two-step procedure: the slacks-based measure (SBM) and the response-based procedure for detecting unit segments in partial least squares (REBUS-PLS). The empirical results confirm that significant correlations emerge between the indicators considered and eco-efficiency. The findings validate that unobserved heterogeneity in the port data exists, and that REBUS-PLS allows the predictive capacity of the model to be optimised for European ports. From a policy point of view, the conclusion could offer useful insights to support policy measures targeted at the improvement of clean production.

Transformasi SDM Dalam Menghadapi Tantangan Revolusi 4.0 di Sektor Kepelabuhan

Saat ini Indonesia sedang menghadapi era Revolusi Industri ke-4 atau Revolusi Industri 4.0. Maka dari itu revolusi industri 4.0 di sektor pelabuhan merupakan hal baik untuk menuju smart port dan smart supply chain. Seiring dengan revolusi industri 4.0 dan teknologi digital, persaingan bisnis dan pembangunan yang semula bertumpu pada pemanfaatan sumber daya alam akan bergeser pada penguasaan teknologi informasi dan kompetensi angkatan kerja. Di sinilah pentingnya investasi SDM. Era revolusi industri 4.0 membuka kesempatan bagi sumber daya manusia (SDM) di sektor manufaktur untuk memiliki keahlian yang sesuai dengan perkembangan teknologi terkini. Untuk itu, diperlukan pelaksanaan program peningkatan keterampilan (up-skilling) atau pembaruan keterampilan (reskilling) para tenaga kerja berdasarkan kebutuhan dunia industri saat ini.

Controllership as an instrument to reduce information asymmetry in public companies: a Brazilian public company case study in the port sector

This study identifies the characteristics and activities performed in the controllership area of a Brazilian public company in the port sector. The theme is based on the theory of informational asymmetry addressing controllership in the management of internal control and information systems. The methodology uses a qualitative approach, including both an analysis of the literature on the topic and data extracted from documentary analysis of the company's public reports issued by Companhia Docas do Estado de Sao Paulo (CODESP). The proposed arrangement for a customised structure for the controllership at CODESP adds new responsibilities to the current ones to allow the area to act institutionally, to contribute effectively, and to improve the company's financial management. This study contributes scientifically to the debate on controllership as an instrument in the reduction of fraud risks in the port sector. In an applied way, it has the potential for replicability within the sector. The work presents an interventionist option for the company in the fight against fraud.

Measuring impact of Indian ports on environment and effectiveness of remedial measures towards environmental pollution

As the Indian port sector flourishes through a boom in external trade, it becomes crucial to look into the environmental impact it creates on the coastal seas. Research aims to determine the environmental consequences of a rising port sector in India and checks the effectiveness of measures taken to curb growing pollution caused by port operations. Researchers have offered a comparative perspective of the green performance of major ports vis-a-vis minor ports. Researchers have collected primary data across 15 busiest major and minor ports of India from six different categories of stakeholders in port sector, using stratified random sampling and questionnaire method. It was found that port operations caused considerable environmental harm in terms of water pollution, disposal of effluents, hazardous toxins and more. As for effectiveness of remedial measures to atone for such damage, researcher has provided a comparative analysis and found differences in the success rate of sustainable operations between major and minor ports. Lastly, the researchers have ranked the surveyed major and minor ports in order of their environmental impact and sustainability performance.

Estrategia del Océano Azul para el sector portuario (sincromodalidad y digitalización)

La industria en general y los puertos en particular están derivando hacia procesos 4.0. El uso de nuevas tecnologías y pautas de mercado son las herramientas principales para el éxito de estos procesos. Los retos actuales del sector portuario pasan por desarrollar puertos Smart cuyas características principales se definen por la digitalización y la sincromodalidad. Solo ellas permiten determinar un nuevo escenario en el que es posible plantear la Estrategia del Océano Azul, dejando de lado la competencia y se buscando una nueva demanda. El creciente desarrollo de técnicas digitales y su implantación a los procesos portuarios de gestión y transporte, hace posible que esta estrategia sea viable en una dimensión aún mayor. La conclusión general de la investigación es que es que posible aplicar estrategias de mercado al sector portuario español con una metodología diferente a la empleada hasta el momento. Se observa que los puertos españoles aún tienen un largo camino que recorrer en materia de sostenibilidad, entendida en tres dimensiones: económica, social, y ambiental

Business process management systems in port processes: a systematic literature review

In ports, businesses processes can be improved through the use of more efficient technologies. In this regard, Business process management systems (BPMS) may be considered the best tool for this purpose since it helps users to coordinate and automate critical processes such as cargo manifests, customs declaration the management of scales, or dangerous goods, traditionally supported by EDI technologies. The aim of this work is to demonstrate, through a systematic analysis of the literature, the state of the art in BPMS research in the port industry. For this, a systematic review of the literature of the last ten years was carried out. The works generated by the search were subsequently analysed and filtered. After the investigation, it is discovered that the relationship between BPMS and the port sector is practically non-existent which represents an important gap to be covered and a future line of research.

Business process management systems in port processes: a systematic literature review

In ports, businesses processes can be improved through the use of more efficient technologies. In this regard, Business process management systems (BPMS) may be considered the best tool for this purpose since it helps users to coordinate and automate critical processes such as cargo manifests, customs declaration the management of scales, or dangerous goods, traditionally supported by EDI technologies. The aim of this work is to demonstrate, through a systematic analysis of the literature, the state of the art in BPMS research in the port industry. For this, a systematic review of the literature of the last ten years was carried out. The works generated by the search were subsequently analysed and filtered. After the investigation, it is discovered that the relationship between BPMS and the port sector is practically non-existent which represents an important gap to be covered and a future line of research.