Evaluating green operational efficiency of West African container ports along the belt and road initiative using super-efficiency SBM-DEA and Malmquist productivity index

Environmental management has become one of the most critical components of port operations worldwide as seaports go green. This study, therefore, employed the super-efficiency SBM-DEA (Slack-Based Measure Data Envelopment Analysis) model and the Malmquist productivity index to assess the green operational efficiency of seven major container ports in West Africa in the context of sustainable development. In addition to being part of the Belt and Road program, the container ports were chosen due to their significance in promoting international trade in West Africa. Quay length, labor population, terminal area, and energy consumption are input indicators. On the other hand, container throughput, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon dioxide (CO2), phytoplankton biodiversity, Leq24, and petroleum hydrocarbons are among the output indicators. These indicators reflect the economic, operational, social, ecological, and environmental components of sustainable port operations. The analysis's findings indicate that, in terms of green operational efficiency, four of the seven container ports are efficient, while three are inefficient. Phytoplankton biodiversity (PP), energy consumption, terminal area, petroleum hydrocarbon (PH), Leq24, container throughput, and SO2 emissions are some elements that impact inefficient ports. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that low levels of technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency, and scale efficiency over the study time impede the increase in the total factor productivity of container ports' green operational efficiency. To tackle these problems, investing in green infrastructure, implementing energy-efficient technologies, and investing in green technologies are recommended.