Port performance indicators

The operational performance of a port is generally measured in terms of the speed with which a vessel is dispatched, the rate at which cargo is handled, and the duration that cargo stays in port prior to shipment or post discharge. However, a progressive port manager will also wish to know how extensively and intensively its assets are being utilized as well as how well the operations perform financially. Indicators to measure these performances are determined generally in relation to the tonnage of shipping calling at the port and of the volume of cargo handled since port services in the main are rendered to ships and cargo. This note discusses the main indicators used by ports, in tabular form which briefly describes how the indicators are determined.