A conceptual model for benchmarking transhipment ports: the case of Tangier-Med and Algeciras Bay

Seaports constitute a central component of the general transportation sector and a major means of integration into the global economic system. Increasingly, with the development of large containerships, the emergence of transhipment hub ports has made the total origin-to-destination movement of containerised cargo more seamless, and therefore, transport terminals have become more efficient. In this paper, we carry out a conceptual framework to analyse the transhipment port competition using a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) approach. We then apply the framework to assess the competitiveness of the twin transhipment ports of Tangier-Med (Morocco) and Algeciras Bay (Spain). Our findings indicate that the Port of Tangier-Med is more attractive with regard to four criteria: port infrastructure, connectivity, port charges and port efficiency. In contrast, the Port of Algeciras Bay is more attractive with regard to two criteria: social responsibility and port management, and regulation, respectively. Results from the study will interest port managers because these results provide essential information on the key factors that come into the decision process of port users, thus, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the Port of Tangier-Med and the Port of Algeciras Bay.