A Study on the Efficiency Analysis of Global Terminal Operators Based on the Operation Characteristics

Jungwaun Jeh, Jungwoo Nam, Minseop Sim, Yulseong Kim and Youngran Shin
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Jungwaun Jeh: Graduate School of Global Logistics, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Korea
Jungwoo Nam: KMI KMOU Cooperative Program, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Korea
Minseop Sim: KMI KMOU Cooperative Program, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Korea
Yulseong Kim: Department of Logistics, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Korea
Youngran Shin: Graduate School of Global Logistics, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Korea

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-19

Abstract: Shipping and port industries are undergoing rapid environmental changes because of the reorganization of carrier alliances, enlargement of ships, and an increase in global uncertainty. Thus, the sustainable operation of container terminals requires a new assessment of port efficiency and measures to enhance efficient operation. Hence, we classified 21 global terminal operators (GTOs) into stevedore, carrier, and hybrid GTOs based on their operation characteristics and derived a sustainable container terminal operation method using data envelopment analysis efficiency and Malmquist productivity index analysis. The results showed that stevedore GTOs exhibited improved efficiency when the terminal infrastructure was expanded. However, the returns to scale and technical change factors in the productivity change trend decreased. Meanwhile, the objective of carrier GTOs is cost reduction, unlike stevedore and hybrid GTOs, which focus on generating profits. Consequently, carrier GTOs were the most inefficient with little intention to improve efficiency. A systematic efficiency improvement strategy through the acquisition of a terminal share was effective for hybrid GTOs. However, similar to stevedore GTOs, investment in technical change was insufficient for hybrid GTOs. The efficiency analysis we conducted for each operation characteristic is expected to provide useful basic data for establishing efficiency improvement strategies for every GTO.

Keywords: DEA; Malmquist analysis; efficiency; terminal sustainability; global terminal operator; characteristics of operator (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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