Abstract
There is minimal literature on port user perceptions of port efficiencies in South Africa. This research explored the user's perceptions of port efficiencies at the Port of Durban’s container terminal. The main aim has been to give a voice to the port users and further explore how their perceptions can be used to harness some of the port's dynamic capabilities and reconfigure its business model canvas, ensuring value for the users. Efficient ports create the value required by users. Port efficiency has been reported as being underpinned by many factors, such as operational performance, governance, and the ability to capture new markets. Efficiency is recognised as having the ability to contribute positively or negatively to its stakeholders and their organisations, including port users. Positively, it encourages economic growth by allowing various import and export-dependent sectors to prosper and consequently creates employment. A port considered inefficient subjects its port users to, for instance, long waiting times resulting in limited asset use, be it vessels or trucks, and exposes them to high operational costs.
This research’s methodological choice was qualitative, allowing the perceptions to be explored in depth. The research strategy chosen provided the port users a platform to engage fully, giving details on their past and present experiences at the Durban Port and container terminal. The sampling strategy used differentiated the accessible population from the one that was targeted, and the inclusion and exclusion criteria were outlined. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted using an interview guide. Associations representing the different port user types made up the bulk of the participants due to snowballing. CAQDAS in the form of ATLAS.Ti version 24 was used to analyse the collected data.
Respondents generally indicated that the Port of Durban and its container terminal were inefficient. According to the users, the inefficiencies are attributed to a lack of investment in infrastructure, superstructures, equipment and marine fleet, which have been required over the years. The users indicated that this had impacted them mainly financially, forcing tough decisions over the years due to increased operational costs. Interestingly, the port and its terminal still enjoy excellent customer value. Despite all the challenges, users want to see the port authority regulating the terminal operators in a way that ensures the services provided in the port are acceptable. Secondly, the terminal operator obtains the required equipment to improve turnaround times and waiting times at the port. The researcher captured and displayed the port users' perceptions of port efficiencies and highlighted the impact of some on their organisations. The research explored the organisational theory and various strategic tools by suggesting that port users' perceptions can be used to harness dynamic capabilities and reconfigure the business model to create value for the port users.