Ports’ structural and operational benchmark: Methodology and application to the Mediterranean basin

Starting from morphology and equipment, a synthetic method able to provide indicators representing the ports’ performances was setup. The knowledge background, built on cartography, statistical data, port master plans and sectorial researches, required important efforts in terms of integration and homogenisation. The method’s development is based on a survey of the Mediterranean basin, progressively identifying a sample of ports by additive selection criteria, including geographical location, the layout’s morphology, traffic typologies and consistent data availability. A set of indicators characterising the ports’ performances allows benchmarking and matching to derive useful design and operational feedback. The achieved results include homogeneous indicators for dimensions, equipment and performances, useful for design and planning purposes, operational checks, identification of bottlenecks and project needs. The extension of the sample (39 case studies in the Mediterranean basin) encompasses the values of results, exposed in thematic maps and diagrams dealing with wharfs’ extension vs. sea depth and basin surface, average length of route, the docks’ density, ship turnover rates, productivity index, docks utilisation and approaching time. Moreover, the global operational capacity and the related present utilisation rate was calculated, taking into account the internal routes’ network, compatibility among routes, manoeuvring times and distribution of traffic by route.