Berthing Delays: Marginal Cost Effects in Container Shipping

บทคัดย่อ

This study aims to investigate the additional costs associated with vessel delays arising from port operational inefficiencies or challenges within container terminals. Such delays influence turnaround time-a critical determinant of port efficiency-and subsequently affect transportation costs for shipping lines. Container ships typically spend less time waiting in ports in developed countries compared to developing ones. This is because developed countries often process shipments faster, have better port facilities, and more efficient workers (Review of Maritime Transport 2023, 2023). Thailand, a developing economy in ASEAN, is home to one of the world’s 20 largest ports by throughput volume. In 2023, the port’s container terminal handled 8,868,200 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), reflecting a 1.5% increase from 8,741,049 TEUs in 2022(Lloyd’s List Intelligence, 2024). To maintain its competitive position among global ports, cost efficiency and operational timeliness are critical. A comparative scenario analysis of three berthing delay scenarios (under 12 hours, 12-24 hours, and over 24 hours) was conducted to quantify the additional costs incurred. The study identified fuel expenses and port dues as the most significant financial impacts, with delays occurring in 33.65% of berthing operations over a two-year period. Beyond direct costs, the analysis also revealed opportunity costs arising from prolonged waiting times, which reduce revenue-generating operational capacity. These findings underscore the importance of minimizing delays to enhance both financial and operational resilience.