A Verification of Korean Containerport Efficiency Using the Bootstrap Approach

The main purpose of this paper is to verify the DEA(Data Envelopment Analysis) efficiency of 24 Korean container terminals for 3 years (2002-2004) using the bootstrap method and to make policy implications to enhance the efficiency of container terminals. The main empirical results are as follows. First, Gamman(2004), Gamchon(2004), Uam(2003), Gamchon(2003), and Uam(2002) terminals have appeared as efficient ports in DEA models. Second, Gwangyang Phase 2 (2002) has shown 17.31% of the minimum value of the DEA efficiency score and 5 terminals (nos. 3, 6, 13, 14, 21) operate efficiently at the port. However, bootstrap efficiency scores are declined at a minimum range of 0.0202 and a maximum of 0.1977. Third, the bootstrap efficiency scores of the 5 efficient terminals which have declined are each 0.7947, 0.8652, 0.8022, 0.8817, and 0.8259. Fourth, the DEA efficiency scores of 24 terminals have not been included into the bootstrap efficiency scores at 90% confidence limits. The policy implication of this paper is that a seaport planner should consider bootstrap efficiency scores in addition to considering the DEA efficiency scores.