The 'time factor' in seaports: an empirical analysis.

In maritime logistics the 'time factor' traditionally holds a critical importance for shippers, freight forwarders, shipping agents, logistics service providers, shipowners and port terminal operators. Also, academic literature widely recognized the key role of this variable for benchmarking and evaluating operational performances along transport supply chains. The centrality of the time factor in planning new services and shaping firm strategies derives from the consciousness that an adequate and reliable knowledge of this variable is capable of improving the overall efficiency and productivity. Therefore, an in-depth time-related analysis of various processes and cargo flows appears a sine qua non condition for balancing the interests of stakeholders interacting within the supply chain, and enhancing the competitiveness of the entire port system. Seaports, indeed, are major nodes inserted in maritime logistics chains and the different cargo handling facilities have to manage both ship and inland operations for synchronizing (massified) foreland and (atomized) hinterland traffic flows. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to demonstrate the relevance of the time factor in seaports, analysing the operational performance and the productivity of an Italian seaport, basically declined as roadsteads queuing time and seaport turn round time.