Analysis and Interpretation of Attributes Affecting Ship Time in Container Ports

The ship time in port is considered one of the most representative indicators of the performances of container ports and, more generally, of the countries’ competitiveness in the international trade. The work presents the final results of a research project that aims to analyse and interpret the main attributes, or factors, affecting ship times in container ports and to establish correlations between the ship times and specific factors at the national and local (port) levels. The analysis and interpretation of the main attributes was conducted by calibrating descriptive models the put in relation the ship times with different categories of attributes related to the examined ships, ports, maritime services and the geographical areas. The results obtained could support the identification of the determinants that influence the competitiveness of container ports in order to identify and prioritize investments in port infrastructures.