Are efficient ports for port operators also those for shipping companies? A meta-frontier analysis of global top 80 container ports

Ports operate in complex environments, each with a unique operating context and multiple stakeholders. Considering port heterogeneity, this paper classifies the world's top 80 container ports into homogenous groups and employs the meta-frontier Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method to assess their efficiency. Recognizing the different interests of port operators and shipping companies in port, we incorporate relevant variables for the two stakeholders and compare the port efficiencies evaluated from the two perspectives. The findings are achieved with a dataset comprising port data collected from Lloyd's List, IHS Markit, and Google Earth, alongside ships' data extracted from the Automatic Identification System (AIS). The analysis reveals the disparities in port efficiency among different stakeholders and across different port sizes. Among the 80 container ports, only 4 achieved dual efficiency, while 17 were identified as one-sided frontier ports. Large ports demonstrate relatively consistent efficient performance from both perspectives, benefiting from economies of scale and efficient service delivery . In contrast, small and middle-size ports show inconsistent or even opposing efficiency performance when evaluated by port operators and shipping companies, with many exhibiting low levels of resource utilization or service delivery. This study provides a reference for port operators and shipping companies to enhance overall efficiency. • The top 80 container ports' efficiencies are evaluated from two perspectives. • Ports deemed efficient by operators may not necessarily be efficient for liners. • Large ports show relatively efficient performance for port operators and liners. • Port operators should adopt strategies based on port characteristics.