An analytical framework for managing container terminals

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.