Freeports under the lens: securing container supply chains with a risk-based inspection framework

• Develop a new risk-based inspection framework to combat illicit trade in freeports. • Use a BN model to assess the risk levels of illicit container trade under uncertainty. • Integrate DEMATEL and ranked nodes to address challenges in expert-driven BN. • Optimize inspection rates under inspection resource and waiting time constraints. Freeports that attract illegal activities may become vulnerable without effective measures to ensure a safe and secure Maritime Container Supply Chain (MCSC) involving them. Developing a holistic risk-based inspection framework is essential to address illicit trade challenges in freeports without the need to significantly compromise operational efficiency in a globalized trading environment. However, the existing literature is limited in addressing the uncertainty in container risk levels for establishing inspection priorities and in considering the unique features of freeports. To close these gaps, this study develops a novel framework based on a hybrid two-stage decision-making approach for the optimal container inspection solution, focusing on high-risk containers within the context of Freeport-Centric Supply Chains. The first stage employs a hybrid Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory and Bayesian Network (DEMATEL-BN) model to assess container risk levels, accounting for interdependent vulnerabilities across MCSC nodes. The findings identify the most critical risk nodes within the MCSC, including consolidation centers and loading ports. Furthermore, it measures the risk levels of containers based on both severity and likelihood metrics, which serve as key inputs for determining inspection rates in the second stage, distinguishing the approach by effectively addressing uncertainties often overlooked in existing container inspection frameworks. This approach makes new contributions to enhancing the security of freeports and various MCSCs by enabling targeted risk mitigation, optimizing inspection strategies, and balancing security with trade flow efficiency.