A DEA Study of the Efficiency of 122 Iron Ore and Coal Ports and of 1517 Countries in 2005

By: Gabriel Figueiredo de Oliveira; Pierre Cariou

Publication: Maritime Policy & Management, Vol. 38: No. 7

Publisher: Routledge, 2011

ISSN: 0308-8839

Length: 17 pages (727-743)

Type: e-Journal

Abstract:

This paper, using data envelopment analysis, assesses the efficiency of 122 iron ore and coal ports in 2005. Estimates for 54 loading and 68 unloading ports show that the main source of inefficiency in bulk terminals is related to the scale. Results aggregated at a country level demonstrate that the national efficiency can be achieved either through a limited number of large ports or by combining smaller ports with complementary characteristics—national network effect.