Shipping Patterns at the Port of Sines: A Temporal Analysis from 2010 to 2023

This study focuses on an analysis of the dwell time of vessels in the Port of Sines jurisdiction area, between 2010 and 2023, as an indicator of operational efficiency, with the objective of analyzing the temporal patterns of vessel movements at the Port of Sines, aiming to understand how efficient the operations are. This research will enable the extraction of meaningful patterns from temporal data and the addressing of potential bottlenecks, enabling smother operations and optimized performance. A total of 157,515 records of vessel movements were analyzed using statistical modeling in Python (version 3.11.8). The overall average dwell time calculated for these 13 years was 0.55 days, for a medium number of port calls per year of 2199. This result highlights the operational efficiency of the Port of Sines, although the variability between the different terminals remains significant. The Multipurpose Terminal registered the longest dwell time (1.08 days), especially due to the diversity of cargo handled. In contrast, the Container Terminal had an average dwell time of 0.38 days. Anchoring frequency has emerged as critical for optimization. The implementation of just-in-time principles is proposed as a strategy to reduce anchorage times, enhance coordination and collaboration within the operational chain, and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Notwithstanding the efficiency attained at the Port of Sines, this study suggests that further enhancement of its operational efficiency is feasible and desirable. This would contribute to the sustainability agenda and reinforce the port’s position in the global trade landscape.