How does the location of a port in the network affect its efficiency?[Comment l'emplacement d'un port dans le réseau de transport de conteneurs affecte-t-il son efficience ?]

This study examines the impact of a container port's position within the global network on its efficiency. Using data from 117 shipping routes in 2010, we analyse 85 international ports across Asia, Europe, and North America. Key network characteristics, such as centrality, clustering, and trade volume with neighbouring ports are integrated into a two-stage data envelopment analysis model, following the double-bootstrap methodology by Simar and Wilson (2007). Our results reveal significant regional disparities in port efficiency, with ports in Asia - particularly those in China - demonstrating the highest levels of performance. The second stage of the model shows that centrality and clustering have a positive influence on efficiency. This second effect is specific to a North American port community that benefits from the service design choices of shipping lines. These results highlight not only the role of port positioning within the maritime network into efficiency, but also the role of service design by maritime companies.