Are vessel arrival and port operations affected by COVID-19? Evidence from the Hong Kong port
Efficient vessel arrivals and departures are crucial for the smooth functioning of port operations and global supply chains. Nonetheless, the emergence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the end of 2019 has presented unprecedented challenges to the shipping industry worldwide, disrupting vesse...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
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2024
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/179216 |
| _version_ | 1811697701667995648 |
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| author | Chu, Zhong Yan, Ran Wang, Shuaian |
| author2 | School of Civil and Environmental Engineering |
| author_facet | School of Civil and Environmental Engineering Chu, Zhong Yan, Ran Wang, Shuaian |
| author_sort | Chu, Zhong |
| collection | NTU |
| description | Efficient vessel arrivals and departures are crucial for the smooth functioning of port operations and global supply chains. Nonetheless, the emergence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the end of 2019 has presented unprecedented challenges to the shipping industry worldwide, disrupting vessel schedules and operations due to measures aimed at minimizing in-person interactions and restricting the movement of goods and people. The influence of the COVID-19 on vessel arrivals at ports around the world has been significant and far-reaching, with many ports struggling to maintain their efficiency and effectiveness. This study takes the Hong Kong port (HKP) as an example to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vessel arrivals and port operations. Data from 2019 to 2022 on vessel arrivals and port operations are collected to examine whether, how, and why the pandemic has affected these arrivals and the related port operations. Specifically, we use four general indicators, namely the number of vessel calls, vessel total net tonnage (NT), vessel average gross tonnage (GT), and port total throughput, to comparatively evaluate the COVID-19 impact on vessel arrival. Additionally, we quantitatively assess the effects of COVID-19 on vessel arrival punctuality and vessel turnaround time at the HKP. Our analysis reveals that the COVID-19 and associated restrictions have led to fewer vessel calls across various vessel types, a decrease in overall port throughput, and consequently, reductions in total vessel NT and average GT. Furthermore, the pandemic-related restrictions have exacerbated vessel arrival delays and increased vessel turnaround time during the pandemic, further reducing the efficiency of port operations. To address these challenges, our study also proposes policy recommendations and management guidance for the port to enhance its resilience and efficiency in the post COVID-19 pandemic era. By shedding light on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on vessel arrival and port operations, our study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the shipping industry and provides insights and recommendations for the future development of port operations in the post COVID-19 era. |
| first_indexed | 2024-10-01T07:59:27Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | ntu-10356/179216 |
| institution | Nanyang Technological University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-10-01T07:59:27Z |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ntu-10356/1792162024-07-23T00:47:25Z Are vessel arrival and port operations affected by COVID-19? Evidence from the Hong Kong port Chu, Zhong Yan, Ran Wang, Shuaian School of Civil and Environmental Engineering Business and Management Maritime transport COVID-19 Efficient vessel arrivals and departures are crucial for the smooth functioning of port operations and global supply chains. Nonetheless, the emergence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the end of 2019 has presented unprecedented challenges to the shipping industry worldwide, disrupting vessel schedules and operations due to measures aimed at minimizing in-person interactions and restricting the movement of goods and people. The influence of the COVID-19 on vessel arrivals at ports around the world has been significant and far-reaching, with many ports struggling to maintain their efficiency and effectiveness. This study takes the Hong Kong port (HKP) as an example to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vessel arrivals and port operations. Data from 2019 to 2022 on vessel arrivals and port operations are collected to examine whether, how, and why the pandemic has affected these arrivals and the related port operations. Specifically, we use four general indicators, namely the number of vessel calls, vessel total net tonnage (NT), vessel average gross tonnage (GT), and port total throughput, to comparatively evaluate the COVID-19 impact on vessel arrival. Additionally, we quantitatively assess the effects of COVID-19 on vessel arrival punctuality and vessel turnaround time at the HKP. Our analysis reveals that the COVID-19 and associated restrictions have led to fewer vessel calls across various vessel types, a decrease in overall port throughput, and consequently, reductions in total vessel NT and average GT. Furthermore, the pandemic-related restrictions have exacerbated vessel arrival delays and increased vessel turnaround time during the pandemic, further reducing the efficiency of port operations. To address these challenges, our study also proposes policy recommendations and management guidance for the port to enhance its resilience and efficiency in the post COVID-19 pandemic era. By shedding light on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on vessel arrival and port operations, our study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the shipping industry and provides insights and recommendations for the future development of port operations in the post COVID-19 era. Ministry of Education (MOE) This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant Nos. 72071173, 72371221] and Singapore MOE AcRF Tier 1 Seed Funding Grant (RS11/23). 2024-07-23T00:47:25Z 2024-07-23T00:47:25Z 2024 Journal Article Chu, Z., Yan, R. & Wang, S. (2024). Are vessel arrival and port operations affected by COVID-19? Evidence from the Hong Kong port. Transport Policy, 154, 157-181. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2024.06.002 0967-070X https://hdl.handle.net/10356/179216 10.1016/j.tranpol.2024.06.002 2-s2.0-85196422127 154 157 181 en RS11/23 Transport Policy © 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
| spellingShingle | Business and Management Maritime transport COVID-19 Chu, Zhong Yan, Ran Wang, Shuaian Are vessel arrival and port operations affected by COVID-19? Evidence from the Hong Kong port |
| title | Are vessel arrival and port operations affected by COVID-19? Evidence from the Hong Kong port |
| title_full | Are vessel arrival and port operations affected by COVID-19? Evidence from the Hong Kong port |
| title_fullStr | Are vessel arrival and port operations affected by COVID-19? Evidence from the Hong Kong port |
| title_full_unstemmed | Are vessel arrival and port operations affected by COVID-19? Evidence from the Hong Kong port |
| title_short | Are vessel arrival and port operations affected by COVID-19? Evidence from the Hong Kong port |
| title_sort | are vessel arrival and port operations affected by covid 19 evidence from the hong kong port |
| topic | Business and Management Maritime transport COVID-19 |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/179216 |
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