Search results

The study examined the effect of optimal port operations on global maritime transportation among selected ports in Nigeria.

It considered research questions such as are the ports in Nigeria functional, are the ports functioning to optimal capacity and are there challenges affecting smooth operations in the Nigerian ports? The study tested the null hypothesis which states that there is no positive and significant relationship between a functional port system and maritime transportation in Nigeria. The nonparametric statistics, chi-square, were used to analyze data. Data were gathered through a questionnaire administered to three major ports in Nigeria, namely Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Port Harcourt Old port and Warri Port.

From the analysis, findings showed that there exists a positive and significant relationship between operations in the ports and maritime transportation in Nigeria. Practical implications: The study showed that the moribund state of some ports and terminals will result in loss of jobs and huge revenue, therefore, compounding the menace of unemployment with its associated vices.

The study concludes that the operations of a functional port affect the economic growth of maritime nations. Thus, it is recommended that government and the private sector should collaborate to raise adequate capital for port development and improve the super structures (infrastructures) for optimal port operations in the country among others.

The purpose of this paper is to report an explicit taxonomy of maritime operations (MO) to guide harbour masters (HMs) of smaller ports in planning more sustainable operations.

This research presents strategies for building theory to promote more sustainable port management in a two-stage research design. Starting from a base taxonomy in research Stage 1, ethnographic content analysis (ECA) of a sparse prior literature on MO generated a tentative taxonomy. In Stage 2, interviews to capture tacit practitioner knowledge refined the tentative taxonomy into a credible practitioner-informed final taxonomy.

ECA offers researchers a powerful tool to analyse complex operational problems. In this paper MOs are represented in an explicit taxonomy.

A final taxonomy of MOs guides sustainability strategy formulation by HMs and assists them to protect vital commercial revenues which serve supply chains and local communities.

An explicit final taxonomy of MO is derived using a novel methodology. The taxonomy guides sustainability strategy formulation and underpins subsequent planning of sustainable development policies.

It has been argued that a mono product economy experiences epileptic growth because it is prone to global dynamics such as epidemic. Therefore, the need to diversify investments cannot be over-emphasized. Hence, the study examined port operation's efficiency and revenue generation in global maritime trade: implications for national growth and development in Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to identify the factors that improve efficiency in port operations, and to ascertain how efficiency of operations will affect revenue generation and national growth.

The study employed correlation and multiple regressions analyses to test the hypothesis which states that port operation's efficiency does not have positive and significant effect on revenue generation in Nigeria. A cross sectional research design and structured questionnaires were deployed in the study and simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 200 respondents.

Results revealed that efficient port operations affect revenue generation and national development.

Port operations in Nigeria are bedeviled with daunting challenges that hamper smooth and efficient working port's system.

The study suggested that modern port's technologies (ICTs) be deployed to enhance operations in the ports and manpower should be trained on regular intervals to understand modern logistics management techniques in the ports. Third, government should provide port infrastructures being the backbone of efficient port system. Lastly, the private sector should be partnered with in several areas including port's concession to facilitate effective and efficient service delivery in the Nigerian ports.

This chapter presents a framework which is accessible to port authorities to assess the potential environmental impact of maritime operations. Pursuant on globalisation, increased numbers of ship movements have generated more frequent routine maritime operations in ports but few formal approaches exist for assessing their environmental impact, which potentially could be significant. In a novel framing of environmental assessment a business process modelling technique is deployed in a systems approach which highlights inputs, service processes and outputs. In an initial focus, primary processes at strategic level are defined which affect the environmental assessment of present and future operations and their potential impacts. Later, tactical service processes define the integrity of processes that guarantee service level and quality. Finally, outputs are defined by operational processes. The contribution of applying the systems approach to plan more sustainable maritime operations is assessed in a case study of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC) which regulates much of Falmouth Harbour and hosts the UK's largest offshore marine bunkering operation. Following EU designation of a North Sea Sulfur Oxide Emissions Control Areas (SECA) Falmouth recently recorded a significant rise in the number of vessels calling, and volume of fuel sold as more passing vessels take onboard low-sulfur fuel. The systems approach which empowers FHC to mitigate potential risks and assess development proposals proactively is easily transferable to other ports.

There is significant amount of literature tackling different issues related to the port industry. The present chapter focuses on a single business unit of seaports aiming at the documentation of works related to container terminals.

An effort to review, collect and present the majority of the works present in the last 30 years, between 1980 and 2010, has been made in order to picture the problems dealt and methods used by the authors in the specific research field. To facilitate the reader, studies have been grouped under five categories of addressed problems (productivity and competitiveness, yard and equipment utilization, equipment scheduling, berth planning, loading/unloading) and four modelling methodologies (mathematics and operations research, management and economics, simulation, stochastic modelling).

The analysis shows that most works focus on productivity and competitiveness issues followed by yard and equipment utilisation and equipment scheduling. In reference to the methodologies used managerial and economic approaches lead, followed by mathematics and operations research.

In reference to future research, two fields have been identified where there is scope of significant contribution by the academic community: container terminal security and container terminal supply chain integration.

The present chapter provides the framework for researchers in the field of port container terminals to picture the so far works in this research area and enables the identification of gaps at both research question and methodology level for further research.

With increasing attention to sustainability in port operations, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of sustainability practice (SP) as a moderator on the relationships between competitiveness and performance in port operations.

To explore the specific route of SPs in managing competitiveness and performance, this study adopted the hierarchical moderated regression analysis. Additionally, to analyze the difference in the level of implementation of SP, alternative subgroup analysis was conducted via independent sample t-tests in SPSS 21.

Research results have shown the role of SPs in achieving outstanding port activities, which significantly moderates the relationship between competitiveness, particularly for operational efficiency and service quality, and performance.

As this study is based on cross-sectional data, it does not tap any temporal attitude change, which would require a longitudinal approach. The authors contribute to filling a void between what is achievable and how sustainable practice contributes to managing competitiveness and performance, based on commercial port operations.

Results provide useful insights to establish the strategies to develop sustainable port operations and a strategic agenda to assist ports to incorporate SP.

Drawing on multiple theories, this study advances the role of SP by shedding new light on how it improves operational sustainability through strengthening the relationships between competitiveness and performance.

A mail survey was conducted among 535 worldwide water ports and water carriers to learn about (1) the importance of various port selection factors and (2) the influence of contemporary trade issues on international port operations. Analysis of 134 responses (25 per cent response rate) revealed general agreement among respondents in terms of port selection factors, with equipment availability and loss and damage record ranked as most important. However, there was little agreement among survey participants concerning the influence of contemporary trade issues. Comparison by respondent nationality (US, non‐US) revealed that US interests oppose an increase in the value of the US dollar; US respondents also indicate that ports are not secure from terrorist actions. Comparison by primary function (ports, carriers) found substantial disagreement on operational issues and personnel issues.