Port congestion problem, causes and solutions

Eddrgash, Tarig 2022. Port congestion problem, causes and solutions. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Port congestion has been the focus of numerous studies in the port operation and management field. Most have focused on two critical aspects of the problem and two strategies for solving and reducing or eliminating this problem: the supply and demand sides. Techniques from the supply side concentrate on increasing port capacity such as berths, cranes, storage areas, etc. From the demand side, the focus is on managing and controlling cargo traffic to ports to better match both sides' supply and demand on port resources. However, the factors behind the congestion at ports remain complex and multidimensional, and there is uncertainty in time and space. The variety of causes of congestion also creates diversity in defining port congestion phenomena. To understand this diversity and complexity, dividing and categorising the source types of port congestion problems is, in fact, needed from both academic and port industry perspectives. This research aims to reach a consensus definition for the problem and identify the common factors behind the congestion at ports. Therefore, two stages and two quantitative methodologies were employed: the systematic literature review and the online survey. The first stage aims to develop a deep understanding of the problem and establish a consensus definition for port congestion. In this stage, a systematic literature review was conducted, where evidence-based research was used to investigate the common theoretical classifications triggering port congestion and categorise the traits that can stimulate and cause the port congestion problem in most of the world ports, especially in developing countries. In the second stage, the online survey, exploratory factor analysis technique is used to model these causes and identify the most common reasons behind congestion situations at world ports, and also to reach a standard definition for the port congestion phenomena. The research results identify a common definition that best defines the port congestion problem and accounts for all aspects of the phenomena. This provides a good foundation for future research on port congestion and helps port operators and decision-makers better identify the problem and overcome the causes. Also, the results identified nine common factors behind the congestion problem and the solutions for these causes have been categorised. Moreover, the results suggest that port congestion is highly related to management issues in parallel with weak II infrastructures and shortages in facilities. Therefore, improving the infrastructure and investing in new facilities are needed. However, more concentration on enhancing and increasing the efficiency of port management, port policies and the government regulation system was highly suggested.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Port, Congestion, Reasons, Solutions, Container terminal, Systematic literature review, Factor analysis
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	14 February 2023
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2024 02:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/156501

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