An analytical framework for managing container terminals

Abstract

This study aims to empirically develop a reference for terminal operators to evaluate their operational performance. This paper starts with a discussion on container terminal operations and the development of global container terminal operators. In this study, we applied data envelopment analysis (DEA) as a quantitative analytical tool to measure and evaluate the efficiency of global container terminal operators. In addition, we used regression modelling as a tool to formulate two regression equations as a reference for performance evaluation by container terminal operators. Our findings indicate that efficient global terminal operators are global stevedores. Accordingly, we propose a 'PROFIT' framework, which consists of the dimensions of productivity, regional coverage, operating efficiency, focus of business, internationalisation and terminal network, which is useful for a container terminal to manage their terminal operations and development.

A study on the antecedents of supplier commitment in support of logistics operations

“…Containerisation has revolutionised the way in which firms transport their goods around the world. Being a vital part of a transport infrastructure, container terminals provide facilities for berthing ships, and deploying quay cranes to manage cargo transfer from ships to ships, or ships to shores and vice versa (Lun et al, 2010;Lun and Carious, 2009). A container terminal can also be classified as a multimodal node where ocean ships, short-sea barges, and road and rail modes converge, while linking between waterborne and land transport.…”

Are trade and transport logistics activities mutually reinforcing? Some empirical evidences from ASEAN countries

“…Third, transport logistics services are instrumental in supporting a country's global trade activities which rely on warehousing, product channel availability, packaging and labeling, reliability of shipping, and administrative management by port terminals and customs authorities (Gupta et al 2011;Lai 2004). Container inspections, berth planning, customs clearance, and regulatory environment are all vital in determining the efficiency of port throughput (Clark et al 2004;Lun and Cariou 2009;Wilson et al 2004). Effective cargo management in container terminals can ease congestion problems for traded goods on international transit at ports (Lun and Cariou 2009).…”

“…Container inspections, berth planning, customs clearance, and regulatory environment are all vital in determining the efficiency of port throughput (Clark et al 2004;Lun and Cariou 2009;Wilson et al 2004). Effective cargo management in container terminals can ease congestion problems for traded goods on international transit at ports (Lun and Cariou 2009). Export growth can be promoted by improving transport efficiency via investments in physical infrastructure (Portugal-Perez and Wilson 2012).…”

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“…Goods move along a network of shipping nodes and links (Lun & Browne 2009). The nodes are physical locations (e.g., container terminals and distribution centres) where goods are handled and transferred from one transport mode to another (Lun & Cariou 2009). The links between nodes are connected by infrastructure components on which various transport modes operate.…”