The Impact of Mega Expansion Projects on Container Terminal Competitiveness in The East Mediterranean Region.

Abstract

: The maritime industry faces a rapid and continuous changes i.e. the horizontal and vertical integration between shipping lines, ports and other plyers in the maritime industry, as well as the new technologies that significantly increase the competition between ports. The ability of a port or terminal to compete depends on many factors such as throughput, market share, geographical location, accessibility, infra/superstructure, turnaround time, cost, productivity, safety and others. This paper investigates the competitiveness level of Damietta container terminal (DCHC) relative to the main container terminals in the east Mediterranean market. The study includes the eleven biggest container ports (in terms of cargo volume) in an inter-port level. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique used to benchmark the efficiency of such ports. In addition, the