An integrated Fermatean Fuzzy Set approach for examining the challenges to maritime supply chain resilience of Indian ports

Maritime supply chain (SC) activities play an integral role in global trade and commerce activities but they are also vulnerable to disruptions. These disruptions impact the resilience of maritime SC activities which, in turn, affects trade activities and remains a concern for stakeholders. This study seeks to collect and examine the challenges affecting the resilience of maritime SC activities. Challenges were collected using systematic literature review (SLR), and in the refinement stage, twenty challenges were finalized and grouped into Technical-Organization-Environment-Human (TOEH) framework. To evaluate the challenges, an integrated Fermatean fuzzy set (FFS) - analytical hierarchy process (AHP) - Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique is used. FFS-AHP outcome indicates complex traffic conditions, technical downtime, deficient cargo handling capacity and stacking problems, differences in local and international operating processes and standards, and poor understanding of cargo characteristics as the top five challenges affecting the resilience of maritime SC activities. FFS-DEMATEL outcome presents sixteen challenges under the cause group and four challenges under the effect group. This study is an initial step to analyze the challenges encountered by the Indian port in maritime SC activities. The findings of this study provide better insight for SC stakeholders and port authorities to achieve greater supply chain resilience.