Port approach for merchant ships (regarding docking) is a special event related to the safety of ships and port facilities. This maneuvre is for emergency situations, and the consequences can be very damaging because there is a high risk of occurrence and severity can be high. In Algeria, 90% of foreign trade depends on shipping, and commercial vessels must dock in the port safely. This study aims to contribute to the management of risks associated with port operations by designing a matrix for specific assessment of this type of risk based on analysis of several incidents and accidents regarding maneuvring ships in Algerian ports. The design of the evaluation matrix of risks associated with port operations in Algeria is done in the context of the application of the Formal Safety Assessment methodology for improved performance of this method regarding precision and accuracy of results.

The present study is a continuation of our first work, which was conducted in Algerian ports, the objective of which was the management of risks related to port maneuver in Algeria. This study aims to achieve a better understanding of stakeholder's perception in the matter of port maneuver regarding the origin of risk and its consequences. This perception may be either objective or subjective. What is important is that this study reflects a reality that can enlighten experts and decision makers, thus allowing them to make specific decisions. Seventy-two stakeholders in maneuver from ten different Algerian ports have responded to our questionnaire on risk perception. The results confirmed that different parameters are at the origin of this perception.