New indicators to measure port performance

Abstract

Throughput volume is the most widely used performance indicators in the port industry, but does not provide information on the (regional) economic impact of the port and the attractiveness of the port as a location for port related industries. Therefore, port-related employment and value added are also used as port performance indicators (PPIs). Due to the ongoing commercialization of port authorities (PAs) and the increasing pressure of stakeholders on PAs, new PPIs are developed. Such new indicators do not only satisfy the port authority´s need for insight in port performance, but are also relevant for stakeholders with socio-economic interests in a port. In this paper we present a number of potential new PPIs. These PPIs are related to three `port products´. Besides an overview of currently used PPIs, we analyse performance indicators in other relevant economic and spatial entities like airports, regional economies and business parks. The result is an overview of new port performance indicators whose introduction may be useful for the port industry.