Evaluation of port resilience with fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approach for terminals

Increasing uncertainty and disruptions in global supply chains necessitate a systematic assessment of the varying nature of port resilience across different terminal types. This study aims to analyze port resilience within a framework that allows for comparison across terminal types and supports decision-making. Accordingly, an integrated approach based on fuzzy MCDM was developed; criterion weights were determined using Fuzzy AHP, and the performance of six terminal types was ranked using the Fuzzy TOPSIS and Fuzzy PROMETHEE methods. The findings indicate that the Technical and Safety dimension is the most critical determinant, with cybersecurity and digital infrastructure standing out within this dimension. The results reveal that container terminals exhibit the highest resilience performance, followed by liquid bulk, dry bulk/Ro-Ro, general load, and passenger terminals. The study goes beyond fragmented or shock-specific approaches to reposition port resilience within a holistic and comparative framework across terminal types. Furthermore, it offers actionable managerial implications for resource allocation, the determination of intervention priorities, policy transfer, and the institutionalization of MCDM-based decision-support mechanisms.