| Port capacity is a term that is used to describe the throughput capacity of cargo handled across the wharves in a designated port. In a general sense the term port capacity would be used to describe all ports, public and private, all cargo types including liquid, dry, bulk, break bulk, container, neo-bulk, refrigerated, etc. This study specifically addresses modal alternatives for port capacity planning. The question of expansion is related to existing port capacity and the ability to adequately handle a port's anticipated cargo volume throughput in present and subsequent years. The research question is phrased as "how" niche ports should expand, and addressing this question required an analysis of stakeholder needs. In this study stakeholders provided important data on modal preferences on "how" to invest. The stakeholder input of modal preferences provided data to the Port of Wilmington, Delaware on how to invest in port infrastructure. Furthermore, this study design will assist other ports to assess capacity needs by eliciting stakeholder judgments on modal preferences in order to maximize stakeholder value. Accordingly, the field work developed the objective criteria common to all ports, and the stakeholder analysis served to develop stakeholder needs, to then be synthesized with port objectives. The Analytic Hierarchy Process was used in development of the decision model. |
