Reliability of service times has long been a concern of many ports around the world. This paper presents an approach to mitigate delays in service times through improved information sharing in ports. The approach is based on a mapping of information sharing links and their association to the root causes of frequently occurring delays. We identify the kind of information which is critical in mitigating delays. Critical information links are then re-ordered to create an information sharing arrangement between the actors, which further condenses and simplifies the required information sharing actions. We apply the proposed approach to the Port of Rotterdam. Quantitative data of 28,000 port calls is complemented by qualitative data collected through direct observations and expert interviews with port actors, including the pilot organization, a tugboat company, the boatmen organization, the harbour master, a terminal and a vessel agent. Besides the suggested arrangement for information sharing, the case reveals the critical position of pilots, a vulnerable position of tugboat companies and the minimal contribution made by the terminal towards information sharing. The increased pressure on ports by ever larger vessels seems to bear its fair share for delays and bottlenecks in the smooth execution of port operations.@en

Cooperation between vessel service providers can improve the performance of ports. However, the potential impact of such cooperation has not yet been quantitatively addressed in the literature. We present an assessment using a port simulation model where the exchange of information has been made explicit. Cooperation is modelled as information exchange between the pilotage and towage service providers for the deployment of pilots and tugboats. A first application of the model is shown for the case of Port of Rotterdam. We find that time savings of up to 30% in waiting times can be achieved, while both service providers improve their performance. These findings provide empirical confirmation of the expected benefits of cooperation in ports as voiced in the literature. Furthermore, the results underscore the importance of moving beyond an ad-hoc synchronizations of these services towards systematic cooperation, to the benefit of ports as well as the service providers.@en

Ports are vital for maritime logistics. With the growth of maritime traffic, ports, and their actor organizations have faced rising pressure. Improving port call performance, to accommodate more vessels in shorter times, is now on top of the agenda for many ports. The performance of ports in offering their vessels services can improve by developing cooperative relationships between the vessel service providers. Service providers can engage in cooperative relationships, share information regarding their resources' availability, and adjust their initial plans. Such synchronization can create a seamless sequence of services, shorten the vessel’s waiting times and eventually improve the port call performance. Despite the strong aspiration for this improvement, progress is still slow worldwide. This thesis discusses that a crucial missing piece for the advancement of cooperation in ports is the perspective of service providers. The existing literature, generally, points out the benefits of cooperation for the port as a whole, assuming that the port service providers would cooperate if it benefits the whole port, regardless of the benefits for the cooperating parties. However, in major ports today, port services are offered by self-governed organizations each of which has its own goals. As these organizations run their own business and have their own resources and characteristics, they are likely to avoid actions and decisions that are not in line with their business, even if collective benefits exist. Therefore, considering the service providers’ perspectives when designing mutually beneficial cooperation strategies is crucial. To this end, this thesis aims to improve port call performance through cooperation among service providers, considering the perspectives of both vessels and service providers....@en