Crude oil prices and tanker port performance: evidence on loading–discharging asymmetries

Introduction Against the backdrop of the strong interdependence between global energy markets and maritime transport systems, fluctuations in crude oil prices may influence tanker port operations through adjustments in trade organization and transportation decisions. Methods Using a panel dataset covering 20 countries over the period 2018–2023, this study employs a two-way fixed effects model to identify the impact of oil price shocks on tanker port performance and further conducts robustness checks using a double machine learning approach. Results The results reveal pronounced loading–discharging asymmetries in the transmission of oil price shocks within the port operation chain. The effects are concentrated on the loading side: increases in oil prices significantly raise the median time vessels spend in port, the average gross tonnage of arriving tankers, and the average deadweight tonnage per vessel. In contrast, these three indicators are not statistically significant on the discharging side. Discussion From the perspective of port operations, this study provides additional empirical evidence on the transmission effects of oil price shocks. The findings not only offer Guida volatility but companies and port authorities in assessing operational pressure, optimizing resource allocation, and enhancing system resilience under oil price volatility, but also highlight the importance of incorporating energy market shocks into port operation monitoring and risk governance frameworks.