An Investigation into Switching Vessel Sizes for Efficient Container Terminal Operations: A Case Study of Kaohsiung Port

Abstract

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.