Dry Port Terminal Location Selection by Applying the Hybrid Grey MCDM Model

Abstract

Globalization and decentralization of production generate the intensive growth of goods and transport flows, mostly performed by the maritime transport. Ports, as the main nodes in the global logistics networks, are becoming congested, space for their expansion limited, and traffic in their hinterland congested. As a solution to these and many other hinterland-transport-related problems stands out the development of dry port (DP) terminals. Selection of their location is one of the most important strategic decisions on which depends their competitiveness in the market and the functionality of the logistics network. Accordingly, the evaluation and selection of locations for the development of the DP in accordance with the requirements of various stakeholders is performed in this paper, as a prerequisite for the establishment of an ecological, economic, and socially sustainable logistics network in the observed area. To solve this problem, a new hybrid model of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) that combines Delphi, AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process), and CODAS (Combinative Distance-based Assessment) methods in a grey environment is developed. The main contributions of this paper are the defined model, the problem-solving approach based on finding a compromise solution, simultaneous consideration of the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the DP concept and its implementation in the regional international markets. The applicability of the approach and the defined MCDM model is demonstrated by solving a real-life case study of ranking the potential DP locations in the Western Balkans region. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that in the current market conditions, it would be most realistic to open three DP terminals, in Zagreb, Ljubljana, and Belgrade.

Fuzzy Optimization Model for Decision-Making in Supply Chain Management

“…MCDM models are frequently developed to support decision-makers in solving complex multicriteria decision-making problems in different industries and sectors. These decision-making problems include location selection [17][18][19], material selection [20,21], and asset allocation [22]. Among these, many MCDM models have been developed to solve supplier evaluation and selection problems of different supply chains in various industries.…”

Revision of Sustainable Road Rating Systems: Selection of the Best Suited System for Hungarian Road Construction Using TOPSIS Method

“…In this paper, the selection of the most suitable system using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) analysis has been made. Based on the literature review, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was found to be the most commonly used method for numerous construction-related decisions, as well as in the case of the determination of the weights of different indicators or criteria for sustainability ratings [4,19,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. Next to AHP, studies also commonly used the Delphi model, Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), the TOPSIS method or other MCDM techniques, and combinations of them for decision-making or ranking [38][39][40][41][42][43].…”

The Selection of Intermodal Transport System Scenarios in the Function of Southeastern Europe Regional Development

“…Having in mind that the profitability of IT mainly varies according to the analyzed flows, state of the market, spatial and geographic characteristics and logistics systems development degree, it is important to define the development direction of the DP concept and the IT system as well [36]. More or less, all regions of the world have been analyzed through the concept of DP [37][38][39][40][41][42][43], therefore several research articles covering this topic for the region of Southeastern Europe exist as well [44][45][46][47][48]. The main advantage of the DP concept in the context of IT network modelling is its adaptiveness and configurability to different structures of IT systems, geographical regions, and different goods flow categories.…”