Charting sustainable vistas: Analysis of internal and external sustainability performance of Chinese ports

Abstract

The global economy's rapid expansion highlights the need for sustainable development in ports. However, existing research has overlooked the crucial aspect of social sustainability. To address this gap, this paper evaluates ports' sustainability using a novel framework that combines cross-hierarchical data envelopment analysis and cross-efficiency. Examining 18 ports in China from 2017 to 2020, we assess their internal and external sustainability dimensions. Results show that most ports demonstrate commendable efficiency in internal sustainability, though room for improvement remains. In terms of external sustainability, some ports excel economically and socially, but environmental indicators require more attention. Overall, sustainability performance shows an encouraging upward trend, with southern ports leading in sustainability practices. However, economic factors pose challenges to port development, emphasizing the need for heightened focus on environmental and social dimensions. By filling a knowledge gap and offering valuable recommendations, this study introduces a fresh perspective on sustainable port development.