A Survey of Data Envelopment Analysis in Container Terminals

Abstract

In recent years, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique has been used quite frequently in determining container terminal efficiency. When the studies reviewed, conducted on the subject in the recent past, it is seen that the details such as the parameter on which the activity model focuses, sample selection, sample size and input-output selection have not yet been clarified enough, additionally, problems and confusion are encountered in practice. In this study, a critical analysis was carried out regarding the determinations in the use of the DEA technique, which is frequently used in the measurement of container terminal efficiency, and on which issues should be considered in order to establish the model better. In the consequences of the study, it was seen that data accessibility was an obstacle to reaching more robust results in efficiency analysis. It is very important to make evaluations between ports that are close to each other in terms of regional or infrastructure, demand and technological development in order to obtain more reliable and consistent results. Moreover, future studies should consider reliable inputs such as the number of equipment in the terminal that divided by two group, the terminal area, maximum depth, pier length.