Achieving net zero: Enhancing maritime port efficiency through multi-objective integrated DEA-MORCOS

Maritime ports significantly impact society, the economy, and the environment because of their vital role in international trade and transportation. Efficiency and sustainability in maritime ports drive economic growth, mitigate environmental impacts, and promote social well-being, making them crucial in the context of climate change and NetZero goals. This study thoroughly evaluates marine ports’ technical, social, environmental, and sustainable efficiency, acknowledging their essential role. A three-step Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach and the Measurement Of alternatives and Ranking according to COmpromise Solution (MORCOS) methods are used to measure port performance’s many parameters. The ranking provided by MORCOS offer a comprehensive perspective on the relative performance of the ports. Notably, DMU 2 emerges as the top-performing port, exhibiting excellence across economic, social, environmental, and sustainability criteria. DMU 10 secures the second rank, highlighting its commendable performance across the assessed dimensions. These efficiency profiles reveal each port’s strengths and sustainability improvement areas. This sophisticated understanding helps port management stakeholders make smart decisions and promotes eco-friendly shipping practices worldwide. This approach aims to cultivate a resilient and responsible shipping industry in an increasingly interconnected world, integrating commercial growth with environmental and social responsibility.