The maritime industry faces a rapid and continuous changes i.e. the horizontal and vertical integration between shipping lines, ports and other plyers in the maritime industry, as well as the new technologies that significantly increase the competition between ports. The ability of a port or terminal to compete depends on many factors such as throughput, market share, geographical location, accessibility, infra/superstructure, turnaround time, cost, productivity, safety and others.
This paper investigates the competitiveness level of Damietta container terminal (DCHC) relative to the main container terminals in the east Mediterranean market. The study includes the eleven biggest container ports (in terms of cargo volume) in an inter-port level. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique used to benchmark the efficiency of such ports. In addition, the researcher apply Herfndahl index technique to measure market concentration and the degree of competition among the container ports included in the defined market.
This study shows that, Piraeus, SCCT, Mersin ,Haifa, Ashdod and Alexandria (AICT) container terminals are the most efficient container terminals in the defined market with score equal to 1.0 in the DEA Scale. Beirut is relatively less efficient with score of and 0.81, Damietta score is 0.78 which is relatively in between. While Alexandria (ACCHCO.) and Port Said west are not efficient as their efficiency scores (0.66 and 0.46) below the average.
Damietta container terminal is able to compete and attract new traffic with its future facilities which will put in a new shape and higher rank. The investment projects, plans and strategies in Damietta container & Cargo Handling Company (DCHC) will create the appropriate conditions for a positive shift in competitiveness.