Port competitiveness evaluation by fuzzy multicriteria grade classification model

Abstract

Competitiveness measurement of ports should be different from business/enterprises of the private sector. It needs to consider operational efficiency and overall effectiveness. Therefore, this paper attempts to establish a multi-criteria evaluation model. We develop Fuzzy Multi-criteria Grade Classification (FMGC) model to serve the purpose. This model is primarily for qualitative analysis, but this study invites quantitative indicators. It concurrently takes efficiency and effectiveness indicators into consideration. FMGC evaluates port competitiveness classification by partial order based on five grades. Partial order is sufficient to present superiority of port competitiveness. This paper takes eight East Asian container seaports for empirical study, also embarks on scenario analysis for Taiwan's three main ports. It confirms the method is stable and effective in practical applications.