Port resilience to various threats such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, supply chain disruptions, and cyberattacks depends on effective passive defense strategies. These strategies include strengthening infrastructure with disaster-resistant design, establishing early warning systems and crisis management plans, training and preparing personnel, diversifying supply sources and logistics chains, and deploying advanced security systems to counter cyber and terrorist attacks. Disruptive events are increasingly challenging the operations and infrastructure of ports around the world, emphasizing the need for resilience programs to maintain operational continuity during crises. Passive defense, as a preparedness to deal with various natural and unnatural disasters and accidents, is an approach that can enhance port resilience. The aim of this paper is to identify and explain the drivers of resilience with respect to the passive defense approach. In this regard, the DEMATEL multi-criteria decision-making method has been used to achieve the aforementioned goal, and to demonstrate its effectiveness, a case study for Chabahar Port, as a sensitive port in the country, focusing on various stakeholders, has been presented. The findings show that the highest and lowest rankings of the main drivers of resilience in Chabahar Port include flexibility and information security, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest ranking of sub-drivers are respectively related to the crisis management group from the main driver of agility and energy resource redundancy from the main driver of redundancy. These results provide practical and applicable implications for specific port operations and provide a clear path for implementing resilience strategies.
Extended Abstract:
Introduction,
The maritime supply chain is crucial for international trade, with approximately 80% of global transport handled by sea. However, this chain has become increasingly vulnerable due to the high interdependence among stakeholders. Within the chain, ports serve as essential components that link maritime and inland operations. Nevertheless, port operations are prone to damage from human activities, natural events, or disasters. Therefore, any disruption in port operations can lead to severe socio-economic crises and affect stakeholders. In this context, key drivers and strategies that enhance resilience are vital for the efficient development of port operations. Furthermore, prioritizing these factors and comprehensively understanding their complex relationships is of utmost importance. Allocating resources during a crisis is crucial, as sudden resource shortages can create problems with the necessary capacity in terms of expertise, space, and available financial resources. Achieving resilience in a system necessitates prioritizing factors that positively influence resilience by creating a hierarchical structure.
Methodology,
The aim of this paper is to identify and explain the drivers of resilience regarding the passive defense approach. In this context, the DEMATEL multi-criteria decision-making method has been employed to achieve the stated goal and to demonstrate its effectiveness. A case study of Chabahar Port, a sensitive port in the country, is presented with a focus on various stakeholders. The primary objective of this method is to identify the most critical relationships between variables and to construct an access and antecedent matrix. It is important to note that this matrix will be used as input for further assessments.
Results and discussion,
The location of ports along the coastline exposes them to direct threats and enemy naval attacks. Therefore, the development of the country's ports, which is crucial for urban and economic development, requires passive defense measures to reduce the vulnerability of these vital centers and prevent any interruptions to the country's economic cycle in the event of threats. Passive defense methods in ports have been considered at different times based on available resources and needs, proving effective in their respective contexts. These defensive measures are vital and necessary to protect ports, especially those that are sensitive, vital, and strategic. The study conducted on Chabahar Port, which is the only sensitive port in the country, indicates that the driver of "communications and chain of contacts" has the highest impact, while the driver of "crisis management teams" also demonstrates significant influence. Furthermore, the drivers of "crisis management teams" and "communications and chain of contacts" have the highest interaction with other sub-drivers, whereas the drivers of "redundancy of energy resources and redundancy of critical work equipment" show the lowest interaction. The analysis of the importance and impact of the main drivers at this port reveals that flexibility ranks the highest and information security ranks the lowest.
Conclusion,
The findings show that the highest and lowest rankings of the main drivers of resilience in Chabahar Port are flexibility and information security, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest rankings of the sub-drivers are related to the crisis management group of the main driver of agility and energy resource redundancy of the main driver of redundancy, respectively. These results provide practical and applied implications for port operations and provide a clear path for implementing resilience strategies.
Keywords: Resilience, DEMATEL, Multi-Criteria Decision Making, Sensitive Ports, Port Operations.