• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.183-202
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• 2009

This study estimates the port waiting cost of international trade ports in Korea by an opportunity cost approach. In the next step, we present a method to assess the levels of port services by the average waiting cost of ships derived from the results of the first step. Because the port waiting cost reflects the social cost, it is difficult to use as a service indicator even though it is the decision support information for a particular port facility expansion. The percentages of waiting ships and time also are insufficient indicators to reflect only the quantitative aspects by the time. However, the average waiting cost of ships in this study can be utilized as a service indicator to reflect waiting time and the loss of economic value simultaneously. It is also very useful information for a shipper and a carrier to select a port. Based on the average waiting cost of ships in 2007, it is analyzed in order of lowest service ports sequentially such as Pyeongtaek-Dangjin, Pohang, Donghae, and Samcheonpo. It is different from the sequential order of ports by the port waiting cost such as Pohang, Incheon, Gwangyang, Pyeongtak-Dangjin, and Ulsan. The port waiting cost is to a port authority as a key indicator what the average waiting cost of ships is to a port user as a useful indicator to evaluate the levels of port services.