A novel method of assessing port resilience and its positive ramifications

Ports play a crucial role in facilitating global trade and logistics, serving as vital hubs that connect countries and continents. However, they are susceptible to disruptions and disasters due to their natural characteristics, while their resilience is essential for maintaining regular operations, especially in the face of disruptions. From the perspective of inputs and outputs, this study evaluates the resilience of nine major Chinese ports from 2011 to 2021, using super-efficiency slacks-based measure network data envelopment analysis (SBM-NDEA). This approach extends beyond evaluating a port’s internal capacities, incorporating urban and economic factors that are critical to ensuring the port’s long-term resilience. The novel method for assessing port resilience and its positive ramifications offers a clearer understanding of the specific stages requiring improvement, thereby enhancing the overall resilience of ports. Specifically, three stages of port resilience are considered: absorptive, adaptive, and restorative. The results reveal that the resilience of different ports exhibits distinct trends in the above three stages. Shenzhen Port demonstrates superior performance in both absorptive and adaptive stages, while Rizhao Port excels in the restorative stage. The research contributes to advancing both academic knowledge and industry practices by offering new insights, methodologies, and practical implications for enhancing port resilience.