Evaluating the relative efficiency of ASEAN and non-ASEAN container ports by applying data Development analysis

The current paper analyzes the relative efficiency of 22 ASEAN and 17 non-ASEAN container ports. The sample includes big and small ports. The traditional input and output oriented DEA-CCR and DEA-BCC models were applied. Results show that ASEAN port experience scale inefficiently. The main factor of this inefficiency is their size and space limits. On the other hand, non-ASEAN ports are characterized by a good efficiency. However, most of them need to upgrade their management in order to improve their performance. Almost all port operate in increasing returns to scale, which suggests that they have not reached their optimum size.