Assessment of sustainable initiatives in Indian ports using AHP framework

From historic era to modern days, sea ports have been acting as a commercial infrastructure for international trade and adding value to the nation. But escalation in the port activities on land and increased vessel traffic has resulted negative impact on the environment and ecology. Thus, ports are forced to think beyond their traditional business ideology of growing in economic dimension only. Rather they are required to grow economically in balance with social progress and remain environmental friendly. This provides a scope to identify a sustainable framework and factors associated to it, with respect to a port. This study makes an attempt in this direction and identifies the critical factors for sustainable initiatives in Indian sea ports. This work uses AHP framework to evaluate the sustainable initiatives and identifies that for a port; environment dimension should be prioritise over social and economic dimension to attain sustainability. Similarly economic dimension should be considered after social dimension while developing a sustainable framework. Additionally, the study also concludes that out of 14 sub factors used for study, 'functional environmental management system' is most important one and 'port infrastructure development scheme/fund' is least considered sub factor.