Effects of port positioning in liner shipping networks on port efficiency[Effets du positionnement des ports dans les réseaux de lignes régulières sur l’efficience portuaire]

This study examines the impact of container ports' positions within the global maritime network – particularly their degree of centrality – on port efficiency. Using data from 117 maritime routes in 2010, we analyze 85 international ports located in Asia, Europe, and North America. Several indicators derived from network theory, including centrality, clustering, and the maximum distance of a direct maritime link - which captures a port's ability to serve distant markets - are incorporated into a two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model following the double bootstrap methodology proposed by Simar and Wilson (2007). The results reveal significant regional disparities in port efficiency, with Asian ports – especially those in China – achieving the highest performance levels. The second-stage analysis shows that both centrality and clustering have a positive effect on port efficiency. This latter effect is particularly evident among a North American port community benefiting from shipping lines' service design choices. Overall, the findings underscore not only the importance of port positioning within the global maritime network but also the influence of port community structures on port efficiency.