Port Selection Factors Research Articles

항만 선택 및 경쟁 모형

Port competition is a complex phenomenon that is inextricably linked to the port selection decisions of hinterland and maritime port users. To effectively analyze port competition and formulate strategies, it is essential to adopt a holistic perspective that considers the entire port system through a supply chain lens. Existing research on port competition has largely focused on constructing separate port choice models for hinterland and seaward considerations, or developing unified port choice models that do not distinguish between user groups. However, these approaches fail to account for the interdependent relationship between the port choice behaviors and port competitiveness of hinterland and seaward port users within a single port. In this study, we address this gap in the literature by proposing an integrated model that leverages port choice models of hinterland and maritime port users, along with their respective port preferences, within a multicriteria decision analysis-non-cooperative game theory framework. This integrated model enables a comprehensive examination of port selection and inter-port competition from a unified perspective. In addition, we construct a two-player, three-strategy non-cooperative game theory model in which hinterland and maritime perspectives are considered distinct game participants. Applying the proposed integrated multi-criteria decision-making port competition theory model to container ports, we find that Busan Port exhibits the highest overall competitiveness, followed closely by Yeosu Gwangyang Port and Incheon Port. The Nash equilibrium solution for all participants in both simultaneous and sequential games is confirmed to be the choice of Busan Port for both hinterland and maritime considerations. These findings suggest that Incheon Port and Yeosu Gwangyang Port, which benchmark the Nash equilibrium solution, should prioritize the enhancement of port selection factors according to their relative importance, particularly those where they fall short compared to Busan Port. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of port selection and a game theory-based port competition framework from the perspective of port users in the context of container ports. The findings of this study can support the strategy formulation of port authorities and port operators. However, future research could build more realistic models that categorize inland shippers by region and ocean carriers by route to obtain more practical outcomes

Examining port selection factors in Sub-Saharan Africa using the modified importance-performance analysis

Examining port selection factors in Sub-Saharan Africa using the modified importance-performance analysis

A longitudinal study of seaport selection: the perspective of container shipping companies

PurposeCompetition among seaports is rapidly increasing due to various factors such as the global recession, resurgence of COVID-19, tight environmental regulations of IMO, sharp rise in ocean freight charges, increasing global uncertainties and growth in ship sizes. It is essential to have precise knowledge of shipping companies' port selection factors to secure the competitive advantage of seaports. This study aims to empirically analyze recent changes in the importance of port selection factors.Design/methodology/approachBy employing a longitudinal study, this study conducted the t-test analysis. The first survey was conducted from January 2005 to April 2005. Then, the second survey was conducted in May 2021.FindingsFirst, the importance of port facilities (berth length and the number of berths, shed and terminal areas, possession of adequate equipment and maximum berth size) increased significantly. Second, while ship and cargo safety were the critical port service factors in previous studies, speed, flexibility and reliability for handling cargo and berthing schedule were found to be crucial in this study. Third, the importance of ship arrival/departure frequency, route diversity and ship arrival/departure information systems increased when shipping companies selected the port.Originality/valueThis study has academic significance in that it reveals the changing importance of port selection factors in the 2020s and has taken the form of a longitudinal study on the importance of port selection factors from 2005 to 2021, moving beyond the cross-sectional approach. This study can provide valuable insights into and implications for port policymakers and managers when developing and formulating port policies and strategies.

사하라 이남 아프리카 및 중국 화주의 항만 선택행위 평가

The port choice is crucial in decision-making during cargo shipment, which depends on the port’s competitiveness and efficiency. This study compared the port selection factors of sub-Saharan Africa in Nigeria and Uganda to China. After analyzing the collected questionnaire with a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) model, the necessary strategies were established by comparing countries with importance-performance analysis (IPMA). First, the existing importance and analysis chart (IPMA) developed the ‘urgency index’ using the weighted average Euclidean distance and applied it to establish a strategy based on the ranking of port selection factors. This study found that the difference in evaluation by factor was clear depending on whether the port selection factor was a coastal or inland country, not a difference in economic development or port development level by country. Second, while Nigerian shippers prioritize software factors of operating characteristics, Ugandan shippers focus on more hardware port facilities or ship ports. Third, the factors of customs clearance, rapid response to customer needs, port quality, and safety and security differ significantly in the surveyed. They were representative factors that were high in importance and performance for Nigerian shippers but low in importance and performance for Ugandan shippers. However, Chinese shippers evaluated them as having high importance in terms of port quality, safety, and security factors, but their performance could have been higher. Finally, the urgency index also clearly calculated the urgency and strategic priorities, especially for factors near the boundary between the quadrants of the importance-performance matrix. The study presented the necessary implications and strategies to shipping and port companies, international institutions, trading companies, port authorities, and governments of the selected countries. Although this study evaluated the port selection characteristics of sub-Saharan shippers, it is also different from previous studies, so additional verification studies for generalization are needed to determine whether these differences are due to time differences or other causes.

목포 신외항 선·화주 유치를 위한 항만선택 요인의 중요도 분석

목포 신외항에서 처리 중인 자동차, 철재 화물을 확대하고 다른 종류의 화물 유치를 위해서 목포 신외항에 필요한 항만선택 요인이 무엇이고 우선적으로 해결해야 할 사항이 무엇인지 중요도 분석을 실시하였다. 목포 신외항의 항만선택 요인을 4개의 대분류와 13개의 중분류로 계층화하고 AHP분석법을 이용하였다. 그 결과 ‘항만시설’, ‘국제항만과의 접근성’, ‘항만시설 이용요금’, ‘인접도시·항만과의 연결성’ 등의 항목이 중요하게 평가되었다. 평가대상자를 선주 및 화주, 항만운영사·하역사, 공무원으로 구분하여 그룹 간 인식의 차이가 있는지 분산분석(ANOVA)을 실시하였다. 그 결과 선주 및 화주와 항만운영사·하역사 관계자들은 비슷했고 공무원 그룹과는 차이가 있었다. 응답 특성이 비슷한 선주 및 화주와 항만운영사·하역사를 ‘항만실무자’ 그룹으로 공무원은 ‘항만정책수립자’ 그룹으로 구분하여 그룹 간 인식의 차이를 검정하였다. 그 결과 일부 대분류 항목에서 차이가 있었고, 중분류 항목에서도 ‘인접 배후 산단 보유’, ‘하역장비’, ‘24시간 항만 운영’, ‘내륙운송 비용’, ‘국제항만과의 접근성’, ‘마케팅 및 인센티브 지원’ 항목에서 통계적 차이가 있었다. 즉 ‘항만실무자’ 그룹은 화물의 창출과 처리 생산성을 높일 수 있는 항목이 중요하다고 평가하였고, ‘항만정책수립자’ 그룹은 항만 인프라, 타 항만과의 연결성, 인센티브 지원 등 항만개발 및 정책 등의 항목을 중요하게 인식하고 있었다.

A Study on the Influential Factors of Chinese Consumer Curise Destination Selection

Purpose This study attempted to derive priorities for Chinese tourists on cruise port selection factors to attract potential demand from China, a major cruise consumer, to revitalize the cruise industry in Korea after the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/Methodology/Approach In this study, in order to derive important factors influencing the selection of cruise ship destinations, an extensive literature review and a survey on Chinese tourism users were conducted. Based on the derived factors, technical population analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, and AHP hierarchical analysis were performed using SPSS26.0. Findings As a result of the analysis, the recent spread of COVID-19 has raised tourism consumer awareness of the risk of infectious diseases and safety, suggesting that a thorough quarantine system for tourists should be established during cruise ship operations or anchorage. Research Implications If Chinese cruise tourists continue to understand and seek marketing, and attraction strategies based on tourist demand are continuously devised, Korea, which has a relatively late position in the cruise tourism industry, will be able to gain competitiveness by gradually increasing market size after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis of container port selection criteria from the importers' perspective: a study in southern Brazil

Port selection is an important topic for scholars and practitioners, and importers have an important role in the port selection. The current study presents an analysis on port selection criteria from the point of view of importers in southern Brazil. First, a literature research was conducted to identify how port selection is structured and then the most cited criteria for port selection were identified. Using these criteria, a quantitative, descriptive and causal research was carried out through the application of a questionnaire to a sample of importers. Data were analysed by descriptive statistical analysis and multiple linear regression and it was possible to identify the most relevant port selection factors considered by the importers. Among these factors, inland transportation costs (from the port to import destination), port efficiency and infrastructure stood out. These factors accounted for 75% of the overall evaluation, according to the R2 found in the regression analysis.

Port choice in Brazil: a qualitative research related to in-depth interviews

The choice of port is one of the topics that most interest researchers. Port selection behaviour may vary depending on port user perspectives. Prior studies have attempted to determine user preferences for certain port choice factors, but there are only few studies in developing countries, such as Brazil, where there is a lack of studies on this topic. The objectives of this article are to analyse the port selection factors in Brazil for different port users, to discuss the implications for competitiveness among ports and to assist port service providers to formulate strategies. Identifying factors will help port service providers to develop strategies in the Brazilian market. The paper explores the case of the Southeast region port market in Brazil, based on data from the port sector and in-depth interviews with a representative selection of port users and specialists in the port sector. The results suggest that Brazilian Port Administrations need to adopt strategies aimed at increasing connections with the interior of Brazil, but they also need to adopt a highly market-based approach, communicating and synchronizing strategies with different public and private stakeholders.

An assessment of the policy gap in port selection of liner shipping companies

ABSTRACT This paper aims to assess the policy gap in port selection of liner shipping companies. Based on the operational features of liner shipping and relevant literature, the port selection factors (PSFs) of liner shipping companies are first investigated. An assessment model of the policy gap based on an improved ANP (Analytic Network Process) approach is then proposed to assess the perceived differences in PSFs between the shipping companies and port companies. As an empirical study, the liner shipping companies in Taiwan and the Taiwan International Port Company (TIPC) were carried out to validate the model. The results indicate the PSFs related to Cargo volume are more important than those related to Port charge. Moreover, currently, TIPC faces two significant gaps, including one negative gap, Labor disputes, and one positive gap, Numbers and frequency of trunk shipping. Based on the results, theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

A two-dimensional approach to assessing the impact of port selection factors on port competitiveness using the Kano model

In the global supply chain, a seaport, as an important part of the intermodal network, plays a pivotal role in linking exporters and importers. In this context, carriers and shippers are no longer selecting a port per se, but rather looking at it as an integral part of the supply chain. That is to say, port users may no longer measure port attractiveness solely by traditional attributes such as port infrastructure, geographical features, prices, and services. Instead, they may place more value on a port’s ability to add value to the global supply chain process and its adaptability to changing business environments. Considering this port paradigm shift with growing complexity, this paper proposes a Kano model to identify multidimensional, nonlinear port selection attributes, including intermodal network accessibility and service route diversity. Such identification will help port service providers, such as port authorities and terminal operating companies, develop wise port marketing and investment strategies. To validate the rigor and usefulness of our model, we experiment with survey data collected from the users of three major hub ports—Busan, Incheon, and Gwangyang in Korea—serving the Asia–Pacific market.

A Study on the Securement of the Competitiveness of Gyeong-In Port

Through empirical study of current port selection factors of import and export companies in metropolitan areas trading with China, which are likely to use Gyeong-In Port in the future due to its geographical proximity, the tendency of its use by manufacturing companies in relevant areas is analyzed, and problems and ways to strengthen the competitiveness of Gyeong-In Port are explored. Study results show that transshipment routes between nearby ports need to be established in the medium to long term. In the short term, direct routes to Qingdao Port and Tianjin Port need to be vitalized. Based on analysis results of priority and satisfaction in port selection factors, cargo volumes should be secured by providing various incentives to Gimpo terminal at Gyeong-In Port and using aggressive marketing from a logistics company on commission. A clear management strategy and active cooperation among the government, project operators of K-water, and terminal operation companies are necessary.

A Hybrid Decision-Making Model for Selecting Container Seaport in the Persian Gulf

Ports have always played a vital role in international transportation. Port selection decision is a process that requires consideration of many important and relevant criteria. The selection of the influential decision-making criteria is also a significant and vital issue which demands cautious thoughts. The main objective of this paper is to weigh the most dominant decision-making criteria by Technique for Order Preference to Similarity by Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and select an optimised container seaport in the Persian Gulf by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) according to decisive port selection factors. This paper presents an extensive review of port selection decision-making attributes in different past studies. Finally, by using TOPSIS and AHP, the findings of this research suggest that the working time, stevedoring rate, safety, port entrance, sufficient draft, capacity of port facilities, operating cost, number of berths, ship chandelling, and international policies are critical factors for selecting container seaport in the Persian Gulf.

A Study on the Port Selection Factors for Automobile Export

A Study on the Port Selection Factors for Automobile Export

Port Selection Factors and Attractiveness: The Service Providers' Perspective

AbstractThis article investigates the major attributes in determining port attractiveness from the perspective of service providers. This was accomplished by conducting a questionnaire survey of ports located in Asian and Latin American countries. In comparing the present survey results with those of earlier surveys of service users (that is, shipping lines) by Ng (2006), special attention was paid to whether the perceptions of service providers and users conflicted with each other. This article provides constructive insight on port attractiveness, and offers a foundation for further research on port attractiveness and competition.

The effect of ports' logistics attributes and services on the business and supply chain performance of shipping firms

There has been widespread discussion about the transformation of ports from cargo loading and unloading facilities into integrated parts of supply chains. The contemporary view is that ports are logistics players in supply chains and their activities and performance affect the other supply chain members. Previous studies mainly focused on how a port’s performance is affected by that port’s characteristics or services. There are no studies that investigate how the performance of a firm which operates through a specific port is affected by that port’s characteristics. Hence, this is the first paper that addresses whether logistics-related attributes and services provided by a port enhance the business and supply chain performance of shipping firms. The paper begins with an introduction and it examines the literature on port selection factors, the transformation of ports into logistics hubs and business and supply chain performance measures. We later present the conceptual model, which relates ports’ logistics attributes or services to the shipping firms’ performance, and to conclude, we discuss the preliminary results of the study and some implications and opportunities for further research.

Container port selection factors: heterogeneity among major market players

This study explores the main factors considered when shippers and container shipping lines select their import/export and transshipment ports. In the present study, 38 container port selection indices were chosen from the previous research and field interviews. The scores of the 38 items were collected via survey to the three major maritime/port market players: shippers, shipping lines, and container terminal operators. In order to analyze the different priorities imposed on the port selection factors by the three market players, the ANOVA method has been employed. The empirical test shows the different perceptions about port selection attributes among service suppliers and demanders. In addition, the 38 items have been categorized into seven key factors through an exploratory factor analysis. The ANOVA technique was employed again to analyze the perspective differences for the port selection factors among the market players. The results show that there are significant differences among the players assessing the importance of the three port choice factors: liners and terminal operators give more weight to ‘hinterland and terminal basic conditions’ than shippers; terminal operators do not take ‘line operation’ as seriously as carriers and shippers; the factor of ‘terminal operation’ is more significantly considered by liners and terminal operators than by shippers.

Container port selection factors: heterogeneity among major market players

This study explores the main factors considered when shippers and container shipping lines select their import/export and transshipment ports. In the present study, 38 container port selection indices were chosen from the previous research and field interviews. The scores of the 38 items were collected via survey to the three major maritime/port market players: shippers, shipping lines, and container terminal operators. In order to analyze the different priorities imposed on the port selection factors by the three market players, the ANOVA method has been employed. The empirical test shows the different perceptions about port selection attributes among service suppliers and demanders. In addition, the 38 items have been categorized into seven key factors through an exploratory factor analysis. The ANOVA technique was employed again to analyze the perspective differences for the port selection factors among the market players. The results show that there are significant differences among the players assessing the importance of the three port choice factors: liners and terminal operators give more weight to ‘hinterland and terminal basic conditions’ than shippers; terminal operators do not take ‘line operation’ as seriously as carriers and shippers; the factor of ‘terminal operation’ is more significantly considered by liners and terminal operators than by shippers.

Port selection factors by shipping lines: Different perspectives between trunk liners and feeder service providers

The objective is to identify the factors affecting shipping companies’ port choice based on a survey to a sample of shipping companies. Six factors were considered relatively important: local cargo volume; terminal handling charge; berth availability; port location; transshipment volume and feeder network. Exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses identified five port choice categories, i.e. advancement/convenience of port; physical/operational ability of port; operational condition of shipping lines; marketability; and port charge. A comparison between the main trunk and feeder service providers indicated that the former face more intense competition than the latter. Moreover, the main haul shipping lines are more sensitive to port cost factors.

Assessing International Port Operations

A mail survey was conducted among 535 worldwide water ports and water carriers to learn about (1) the importance of various port selection factors and (2) the influence of contemporary trade issues on international port operations. Analysis of 134 responses (25 per cent response rate) revealed general agreement among respondents in terms of port selection factors, with equipment availability and loss and damage record ranked as most important. However, there was little agreement among survey participants concerning the influence of contemporary trade issues. Comparison by respondent nationality (US, non‐US) revealed that US interests oppose an increase in the value of the US dollar; US respondents also indicate that ports are not secure from terrorist actions. Comparison by primary function (ports, carriers) found substantial disagreement on operational issues and personnel issues.