Impact of sudden changes in port call process on supply chains : multi-stakeholder perspective

The port call process is a critical component of port operations, ensuring the smooth flow of shipping networks. However, unexpected port call changes occur daily worldwide, and although they have negative impacts, they have become normalized. This study aims to understand the effects of unexpected changes in the port call process on supply chains. It explores the perspectives of stakeholders involved in the port call process in order to facilitate the implementation of a more streamlined process. A literature review identifies 12 impacts of sudden port call changes, and an empirical study is conducted with 32 semi-structured interviews across 8 stakeholder groups to explore their perspectives. Thematic analysis is used to extract the significance of these impacts.

The most significant impact of port call changes on all stakeholders was queueing of vessels, followed by increased costs. Ten themes were identified as the areas most impacted by sudden port call changes. It was found that while all stakeholders are concerned about these impacts, they often do not pay enough attention to them, as such changes occur regularly. Just-in-Time (JIT) arrivals were identified as a potential solution to mitigate these impacts. The study’s main finding is the requirement for automation of data exchange regarding these port call changes. This research provides insights into stakeholders’ expectations, conflicts of interest, and priorities when adopting port call optimization. The findings will be useful for policymakers and regulatory bodies in the maritime industry to facilitate and incentivize stakeholders in the formulation of port call optimization regulations for the collective adoption of new systems.