Analyses of the container throughput: case study on the selected ports of Europe and China

This paper examines container throughput and port efficiency in selected ports in Europe and China using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and provides information on the competitiveness and performance of the ports studied. The selection of regions is based on the fact that the recorded bilateral trade flows, most of which are handled by sea, have increased significantly in recent years. The DEA analysis shows that ports such as Shanghai, Qingdao, Antwerp and Ningbo-Zhoushan have different technical efficiency indices, which indicates potential for improvement in the rationalization of processes and the allocation of resources. In contrast, the ports of Rotterdam and Piraeus show optimal efficiency, indicating effective utilization of resources. This paper emphasizes proactive management, operational adjustments, and investment in port infrastructure to improve port resilience and performance. While the paper provides insightful conclusions, it also recognizes limitations and the need for further research on qualitative aspects that influence port efficiency.