Introduction.3
Reception of Visitors into the Country3
Reception of Exports and Imports into the Country4
Congestion of Containers in the Ports.4
Expected Outcome of Investing in Port Infrastructure4
Increase in Employee Productivity..5
Implementation of Port Infrastructure Development5
Importance of Proper Revenue Collection Mechanism...6
Increased Skills and Competency by Employees6
Importance of Alternative Supportive Means of Transportation.6
Efficient Communication Infrastructure..7
Conclusion...8
Ports are very important to the economy of any nation. Countries that are endowed with ports are immensely at an advantage. This is because ports are an essential source of connectivity with other parts of the world. As a result, countries which find themselves landlocked are greatly disadvantaged because they are forced to resort to other means of transporting goods into their country which often proves to be very costly. However, the ports in their natural state are not efficient. The complexities and dynamism that characterize the twenty first century require countries to upgrade the infrastructure of their ports. The volumes of goods that enter into and exit from these countries through the ports have been increasing alarmingly over the years. The all important question is whether upgrading of infrastructure at the ports will facilitate the smooth flow of operations.
Ports receive many visitors into their respective countries. Tourism is one of the main sectors of the economy of many nations. Indeed it contributes to a significant amount of their national income. Countries with attractive touring sites are popular destinations for tourist visits. While many foreign tourists opt to fly to their holiday destinations, a significant number still prefer cruise shipping. This method of transportation has often led to an influx of fleets of ships that dock at ill prepared ports. There is need to develop and implement an efficient scheduling system that gets rid of the congestion created by the poor reception of ships that arrive and those that depart from the port.
Alternatively, the governments of the respective countries should seek alternative areas which can be used to dock cruise ships exclusively. This will reduce the displeasure and dissatisfaction that is associated with wastage of time caused by long queuing hours lost at the ports by arriving ships. This will have the effect of significantly increasing foreign earnings of countries which heavily rely on tourism as a key source of national income.
Ports receive a lot of goods that are destined for both exportation and importation. These goods usually require special handling while at the port. These goods vary in value and nature and some special handling mechanisms need to be put in place to ensure that the risk of damage is limited. Machines such as hydraulic lifts are necessary to ensure that containers are moved easily and quickly within the port.
The congestion of containers is a typical problem in many ports. However, this predicament is not usually due to lack of space in the ports. It is often caused poor cargo handling systems such as lack of adequate machinery required to arrange the containers properly after they dock. The purchase of modern facilities such as hydraulic lift machines can considerably improve the on loading and off loading of cargo from ships which arrive and depart from the port. This will significantly reduce service time involved in on-loading and off loading activities. This leads increase the efficiency of operations in the port by reducing queuing time.
Upgrading the infrastructure of ports is an investment just like any other. It involves the committing of funds that are expected to yield returns at some future date with a predetermined rate of return. This process usually entails close monitoring and control of the investment because public funds are usually used. By their very nature, public spending typically involves public interest. This necessitates the need to put in place appropriate steps to ensure that the infrastructural development at the port actually meets the expected outcome which is improving the efficiency of operations at the port. It therefore follows that the enhancing of facilities at the port will be subjected to a thorough process of control that will ultimately improve port efficiency. Failure to do so attracts public displeasure and demand for political responsibility. Even where private investors are brought on board through public-private partnership, these measures are still imposed. This ensures efficiency in the operations of the port.
The improvement of infrastructure means that ports will be able to use modern tools and equipment in its day to day operations. These facilities increase the ease with which tasks are performed and also save time wasted in the movement of merchandise into and out of the port. Equipping the employees with the necessary tools and equipment to do their work has the automatic effect of increasing their productivity. This is because such workers are usually motivated to work when the infrastructure at the ports have been upgraded. The improvement of infrastructure is in itself an effective motivational instrument for workers who would often view it as an improvement of their work conditions. There is also the prestige associated with good infrastructure. Employees will want to be associated with work places that have the best infrastructure. Motivated workers are highly productive. They perform their tasks diligently and in a satisfactory manner. This ultimately results in good performance in the day to day activities of the port.
The development of any new public infrastructure is often followed by the setting up of a proper implementation mechanism. Similarly, the upgrading of infrastructure at the port is usually subjected to a stringent project management process. This means that all activities from the project initiation to project completion is usually closely controlled and coordinated. Committees are set up to act as oversight authorities during and after the completion of the project. A follow up system is usually set up to ensure that the new and or improved infrastructure is used to meet the predetermined targets. This usually has the impact of increasing the chances of success since the management of the ports are aware of the performance standards expected of the new facilities. This will mount pressure on the management to meet the set goals and objectives and thus the efficiency of the ports’ operations will be enhanced.
Proper revenue collection facilities at the port will ensure that revenue lost through greedy and corrupt individuals is reduced. A good number of ports are faced with the problem of not reaching their set revenue collection targets. This is because facilities required to ensure that there is a proper revenue collection system are not adequate. This presents a loophole for unscrupulous port officials to indulge in the indecent act of soliciting for bribes. This kind of behavior usually discourages the spirit of service delivery as this is barred by selfish self-interest. It is well understood that where employees of any kind of organization put personal gain over service delivery, there is always a very large possibility for failure. Ports are an important source of revenue for several countries. By investing in infrastructure that curbs the loss of public revenue such as an effective record and monitoring system, significant amounts of losses made can be reduced.
New infrastructure usually requires better skills and competency to manage. It therefore follows that when a new infrastructure is set up, an efficient team of qualified individuals should be at the disposal of the port. Often, new infrastructure will lead to the incurrence of substantial costs either in recruiting the required personnel or improving the quality and amount of skills that current employees possess. Irrespective, the overall impact is that a more proficient workforce is created. These employees are made aware of the new expectations and they work in order to achieve them. An increase in the quality of skills and competency has the effect of increasing the productivity of the workforce. Staff will discharge their duties more effectively. This will boost customer delivery and thus the operations of the port.
An important factor in improving the efficiency of port operations is by ensuring ease of accessibility and connectivity to the port. It is not enough that the goods are handled safely and properly. Moving them into and out of the port is also very vital. Channels must be created through which goods enter and leave the port as soon as possible and in good condition. This means that the construction and improvement of good road networks leading in and out of the port is an important enabling factor. The availability of an efficient and reliable railway system can also come in handy in this case. This is because goods packed in containers are normally moved by trucks and trains. By ensuring a reliable road network and railway system, the government can greatly improve accessibility to ports and thus enhance their efficiency.
It is often said that sound communication has the power to determine the outcome of any activity. An effective communication system is an essential ingredient in ensuring that ports work properly. The government should invest in proper communication tools and equipment to ensure proper coordination of activities within or outside the port. This involves disseminating accurate information to people using the port at the right time and in the right manner. Exporters and importers of goods should be immediately informed about the status of their merchandise. This will involve putting in place a contact center facility through which all the relevant information about the movement of merchandise and performance of duties by employees is to be provided. This will reduce delays that are caused by lack of proper communication. This facility will also ensure that information is availed to staff within the port in a spot on manner.
In conclusion, it is critical that ports are equipped with the requisite infrastructure to facilitate their operations. They are places where not only fleets of ship carrying people and merchandise dock but are also important in thriving the economy of many countries. They offer employment opportunities for many people, boost international trade, generate revenue through taxes and levies charged, and most importantly increase the link between the country and the outside world. All these aspects are important in improving the development prospects of individuals and the entire economy as a whole. The upgrading of infrastructure that enhances the efficiency of operations within or outside the port is thus a worthwhile investment.
References
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National Research Council (U.S.) (2007). Water transportation and port operations. Washington, D.C: Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences.
Song, D. -W., & Panayides, P. M. (2012). Maritime logistics: A complete guide to effective shipping and port management. London: Kogan Page.
United States (2006). Foreign operation of U.S. port facilities: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, second session, March 9, 2006. Washington: U.S. G.P.O.
