Open AccessAn Investigation into Switching Vessel Sizes for Efficient Container Terminal Operations: A Case Study of Kaohsiung Port
Author(s) -
En-Wei Chang,
Tai H
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of maritime engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.242
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1740-0716
pISSN - 1479-8751
DOI - 10.5750/ijme.v163ia1.9
Subject(s) - container (type theory) , port (circuit theory) , terminal (telecommunication) , upgrade , transport engineering , process (computing) , marine engineering , business , engineering , telecommunications , computer science , electrical engineering , mechanical engineering , operating system
Given the continued growth in the size of container ships, major hub ports around the world have carried out large-scale upgrades of their port facilities to attract shipping companies to choose their ports, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of their ports. This study takes Kaohsiung Port as an example and uses the Decision Analytic Network Process (DANP) method to investigate container terminal operations by switching container terminal operations to appropriate new locations. The results of the study indicate that, despite the external issues (such as a lack of deep-water terminals and hinterland in the port area, the upsizing of ships, and new strategic shipping alliances), Kaohsiung Port authority must accelerate the upgrade of its container terminals, integrate its port resources to build deep-water berth facilities with highefficient container operating system, and improve the operating efficiency of its existing terminals, as a means to maintain the status of Kaohsiung Port as a regional centre.