Abstract This paper examines the empirical relationship between maritime connectivity and port efficiency. To do so, a stochastic output distance function is employed which permits the effect of connectivity on port technical efficiency to be estimated for a sample of Spanish ports. Previous studies analysing the relationship between efficiency and connectivity have used country-level connectivity indices. In the present study, port-level connectivity indices are used for the first time for this type of analysis. A novel panel dataset of 16 Spanish ports observed over the period 2006–2016 is constructed by crossing port-level connectivity information from UNCTAD's Port Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (PLSCI) with port-level production data from Spanish port authorities. The results from our estimation show a positive relationship between connectivity and port efficiency. It is found that relatively modest improvements in observed connectivity are associated with large differences in expected output.

    Highlights We estimate technical efficiency for a novel panel dataset of 16 Spanish ports. First study to use port-level maritime connectivity measures as determinant of efficiency. Strong positive relationship found between connectivity and efficiency. Relatively modest increases in connectivity indices have large impact on port efficiency.


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    Title :

    The relationship between port-level maritime connectivity and efficiency


    Contributors:
    Tovar, Beatriz (author) / Wall, Alan (author)


    Publication date :

    2021-10-16




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English






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