Evaluation of pilotage dispatching operation for Dalian Port in China based on FCE–AHP method

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The continuous expansion of the port with the critical shortage for maritime pilots and vessels calls for an effective pilotage dispatching operation, which can ensure the timely delivery of information and rational utilization of pilotage resources. But how to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilotage dispatching operation for a port has been studied little internationally. Thus, a hybrid model of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is set up in this paper for effectiveness evaluation of the port pilotage dispatching operation. Method: A comprehensive evaluation index system is designed by AHP method while FCE method based on anti–fuzzy method is formulated for assessing the effectiveness of pilotage dispatching operation. Moreover, pilotage dispatching system assessment of Dalian Port in China is presented as a case. Results: FCE–AHP method is suitable for effectiveness evaluation of pilotage dispatching system, and the pilotage dispatching system of Dalian Port is better than “general” and close to “good” obtained by anti–fuzzy method. Conclusion: FCE–AHP method is validated its feasibility for effectiveness evaluation of the port pilotage dispatching operation and more related parameters will be considered in the further study.