Exploring container port connectivity in Southeast Asia: An integrated assessment approach

The Asian region has become the world's manufacturing hub due to its cost advantages, driving the development of container transportation. Recently, enterprises have favored Southeast Asia for its demographic dividend and geographical benefits. The relationships between ports are complex, and their roles are evolving. This study introduces a container port and network analysis model to explore the features of container ports and networks in Southeast Asia. Using actual route and port data, it proposes three performance indicators: Annualized Slot Capacity (ASC), Equipment Utilization, and Terminal Productivity. Social Network Analysis (SNA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) are used to develop a suitable port connectivity indicator for Southeast Asia, analyzing changes from 2020 to 2022. The study also categorizes and analyzes the characteristics of the Southeast Asian shipping network based on vessel types and includes Kaohsiung Port in the analysis for a comprehensive comparison. The findings show that the proposed port connectivity ranking differs from the LSCI, which focuses on traffic flow, due to differing indicator aspects. Some ports excel in specific networks based on vessel types. From 2020 to 2022, Vietnamese ports showed steady growth in regional networks, while Kaohsiung Port declined, needing to enhance regional cooperation and competitiveness.