Evaluating the Port Competitiveness to Select a Regional Hub Port in BIMP EAGA: The Perspective of Industry Experts

In the rapidly evolving landscape of international trade and economic integration, the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) region holds significant promise as a critical node for regional connectivity. The establishment of a regional hub in BIMP EAGA would significantly improve connectivity by serving as a central point for consolidating cargo from smaller ports, resulting in more efficient transportation networks. This consolidation has the potential to reduce freight costs and logistical expenses, ultimately enhancing economic integration and trade within the region. The objective of this study is to evaluate the most important attributes of port competitiveness to select a regional hub port from the perspective of the industry experts in BIMP EAGA region. This study employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology to evaluate the most critical attributes of port competitiveness and subsequently conducted a semi-structured interview with industry experts to obtain their perspective and affirmation on the outcome of the AHP survey. The study engaged 20 participants from various related sectors for the AHP and consultation with six industry experts from the maritime and transportation sectors. The findings offer actionable guidance for policymakers, port authorities, and industry participants, facilitating strategic decisions and targeted investments to enhance regional connectivity