FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE A CONTAINER TERMINAL COMPETITIVENESS FROM THE SHIPPING LINES’ PERSPECTIVE: A CASE OF CONAKRY CONTAINER TERMINAL

Abstract

As technology improved, proximity to markets and raw materials emerged as the elements that, above all else, shaped the global economy. The importance of seaports in the global supply chain means that a nation's ability to compete internationally is impacted by port efficiency. Despite the current increase in interest in the African continent on a global scale. The trade and business opportunities abounding throughout the continent provide great potential for all African countries. However, this fact is contradicted by inadequate transportation infrastructure, particularly in the maritime sector. This study investigates the factors that influence a container terminal’s competitiveness in Guinea-Conakry from the shipping lines’ perspectives. With the aid of the literature concerning seaport competitiveness, five (5) major influential factors were identified, which then helped to develop this study’s conceptual framework to answer the research questions. Multiple regression analysis was employed to compute the data collected from our survey respondents. The findings indicate that terminal efficiency and the quality of services are the most important factors in selecting a container terminal, followed by port charges, hinterland connections, and port location.