The Effect of Liner Shipping Connectivity on Container Ports’ Efficiency in The Middle East: Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

Abstract

Existing efficiency models frequently rely on aggregated country-level data, obscuring the specific impact of individual port-level liner shipping connectivity on technical efficiency. This study addresses this limitation by investigating how granular connectivity metrics influence port productivity using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) combined with the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI). Analyzing a panel dataset of 24 Middle Eastern container ports from 2009 to 2016, the research uniquely incorporates the Port Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (PLSCI) as a distinct input variable to model global network integration. This framework enables the decomposition of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) into technological and efficiency changes, isolating the specific drivers of performance variations. The results reveal significant heterogeneity: median productivity gains reached 38.1% in Abu Dhabi and 19.3% in Jubail, driven primarily by efficiency improvements. Conversely, established hubs like Jebel Ali relied on technological change to achieve 3.7% growth, while other ports faced declines of up to 6.6%, indicating a critical need for targeted operational reforms. Consequently, this study provides a quantitative basis for strategic investments in maritime network integration and infrastructure to enhance long-term regional competitiveness.

Article history: Received (October 4, 2025); Revised (December 18, 2025); Accepted (February 11, 2026); Published online (April 20, 2026)