Locating Ship-to-Ship (STS) Transfer Operations via Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA): A Case Study

Abstract

Nowadays Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer has become common practice. However, it remains a complex and difficult procedure, with risk assessment essential for both vessels and location selection. A variety of risk assessment techniques are thus commonly applied in order to evaluate the factors affecting STS transfers. This paper proposes a novel approach to the risk assessment of different locations for STS transfer operations, using the ELECTRE methodology borrowed from the Multi Criteria Decision Aid (MCDA) discipline. The proposed MCDA methodology is properly developed and thoroughly analysed with the aim of supporting operators in choosing the best alternative STS location. To this end, a case study is presented with which to testify the effectiveness and verify the strength of the suggested approach. In particular, four different locations within the Mediterranean Sea, which represent the set of alternative actions, are evaluated according to four different groups of criteria, with a view to selecting the most appropriate location at which to conduct the transfer operations. Different operational, economic, environmental and safety-security criteria regarding each location are assessed and evaluated by a team of three experts designated by the stakeholders (decision makers) of a shipping company. In addition, a robustness analysis is performed in order to control the stability of the model results. The objective is to develop an MCDA model with which to select the most appropriate location according to its operational eligibility.