Port Selection Criteria In Ecuador Based On The Analytic Hierarchy Process

The ports always played a very important role in the growth of international trade and in the development of the regions where they are located,and the tendencies towards port regionalization(Notteboom&Rodrigue,2005)have intensified,even more,the relevance and interconnection of these infrastructures.This thesis presents a review of one of the most widespread multi criteria decision-making techniques,the Hierarchical Analytical Process(AHP),from the perspective of the criterion decision when choosing a port.In the first place,different criteria are analyzed,which are the important ones that are taken into account in order to make decisions.The shipping lines are directed to a business with higher added value in recent years:and Port Authorities compete to take the shipping lines as clients,for this,it is important to have a Port well developed and ready to attend well all kind and size of ships that arrive.Most line transport companies see implications in this trend more or less today.Under this circumstance,the criteria for the selection of ports of the shipping lines play an important role when is time to choose a port.At the same time,there is not just competition nationally but internationally between Latin American ports which from time to time are being more competitive.This thesis uses the Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP)to examine the relative weight of six selective port selection criteria(port geographical location,water draft,cargo volume,port dues and terminal handling charges,IT Ability and Hinterland)between the ports of Guayaquil,Esmeraldas,Manta,and Bolivar.The model results show that the geographical location,the water draft,hinterland and cargo volume are the most important criteria for port selection.Competition and port development are also needed to rethink the change in port selection criteria.Several suggestions of competence are proposed in favor of the integration and development of the ports,in that way the national ports be more competitive and attract more clients.