Improving port efficiency: a comparative study of selected ports in India

In the age of globalisation, seaports play a vital role in connecting national supply chains to the global marketplace. Improving port operations has become a priority for many countries. One of the ways to achieve this objective is evaluating the present efficiency as per the parameters laid down for port industry. This paper measures the efficiency of the major Indian seaports using data envelopment analysis on selected input and output variables. The input variables included – storage facilities, number of berths and number of cargo handling equipments. The two output variables included were average total turnaround time and average output per ship berth day. Six out of 12 ports were identified as efficient ports. Further, an attempt is made to identify various areas for improving the port efficiency based on interviews with port managers from a selected port in India, where the researchers had an opportunity to carry a research project. The interviews were based on a series of qualitative discussions pertaining to the efficiency of ports with the port managers. The study can thus form the baseline on which further adaptation can be made to suit their specific needs.