Optimum throughput and performance evaluation of marine terminals

The performance of marine terminals has generally been evaluated by comparing their actual throughputs with their optimum throughputs. The engineering approach that generally has been used to determine optimum throughputs may be appropriate when terminals have natural hinterlands. In a deregulated (competitive) environment in which the natural hinterlands of marine terminals have become diffused, the economic approach for determining optimum throughputs should be condiered. In such an environment, marine terminals are not only concerned with whether they can handle a given amount of cargo but also whether they can compete for such cargo.