Chapter 22 Port Performance: An Economics Perspective

This chapter presents methodologies for evaluating the economic performance of a port. This performance may be evaluated from the standpoint of technical efficiency, cost efficiency and effectiveness by comparing the port's actual throughput with its economic technically efficient, cost efficient and effectiveness optimum throughput, respectively. The port's economic performance may also be evaluated by comparing the actual values of its performance indicators to their standards (that satisfy an economic objective of the port). If the actual values approach (depart from) the standards over time, the port's performance with respect to its economic objective has improved (deteriorated) over time.