Title: An analytical framework for managing container terminals

Authors: Y.H. Venus Lun, Pierre Cariou

Addresses: Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. ' World Maritime University, Citadellsvagen 29, P.O. Box 500, S-201 24 Malmo, Sweden

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.

Keywords: container terminals; terminal operations; terminal performance; terminal management; data envelopment analysis; DEA; regression modelling; productivity; regional coverage; operating efficiency; business focus; internationalisation; terminal networks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2009.027683

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2009 Vol.1 No.4, pp.419 - 436

Published online: 07 Aug 2009 *