A hybrid framework for evaluating the performance of port container terminal operations: Moroccan case study

This work intends to integrate artificial neural network (ANN) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) in a single framework to evaluate the performance of operations in the container terminal. The proposed framework is based on three steps. In the first step, a proposed identify the performance measures objectives and the indicators affecting the system. In the second step, the efficiency scores of the system are computed by using the Charnes Cooper and Rhodes (CCR) model (oriented inputs). In the last step, the Moth Search Algorithm (MSA) is employed as a new method for training the Feedforward Neural Network (FNN) to determine the efficiency scores. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed framework, two container terminals of Tangier and Casablanca are adopted to evaluate the performance

Use of DELPHI-AHP Method to Identify annd Analyze Risks in Seaport Dry Port System

The dry port concept has recently gained rising consideration in the multimodal transport context from the point of view both of researchers and stakeholders related to the benefits of the seaport dry port system. Given the relevance of the topic, the present paper aims to identify the potential risk factors of the three major parts that constitute the seaport dry port system and present a conceptual framework to facilitate risk factors analysis. Based on a three-step approach, starting with a systematic literature review, which resulted in 204 collected and examined papers, which allowed identifying 181 potential risk factors with an average of 60 risk factors in each major part of the studied system. In addition, we used a survey based on the Delphi technique to ensure a good extraction of data from 12 selected experts related to the seaport dry port system; then, we used the MCDM (Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making) method AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) in order to: 1) present a hierarchy that simplifies the complexity of the studied system in an organized structure; 2) analyze and assess risk factors based on the identified criteria. A case study involving the Moroccan seaport dry port system of Casablanca illustrates that the seaport part is critical and any major risk factor in this part can even paralyze the operations of the whole system, especially if that risk factor belongs to the human factors category or economic risk category, which is also considered in the study as a critical category

Systematic Review of Literature on Dry Port Concept Evolution

Dry port plays an important role in supply chain management and mitigates seaport problems. The aim of this paper is to review the dry port concept over the different phases. Today there are different types of dry ports, different interpretations on the dry port life cycle, and different relations with seaport. We will provide a clear vision on the concept development and the advantages that can be added to the seaport and transportation flow. Then, the study will show the evolution of the research community interest on the concept. In the first step, we will briefly present all the challenges faced by seaports today. Next, we will undertake a systematic literature review in order to provide a global vision able to answer questions concerning dry port concept, types, research evolution. Finally, we will present some research topics that open for us at the dry port seaport system