Can we compare throughput figures published by ports? What is the practice today and do we need global standards?
In his viewpoint – published in his Port Strategy column ast ‘the Analyst’, PortEconomics co-director Peter de Langen recaps: ‘According to the Port of Antwerp, throughput figures of different ports cannot be compared as ports do not use uniform definitions: some ports (most importantly Singapore) apparently use freight tons (metric tons or volume tons, whichever is higher). According to Antwerp’s estimates, Singapore handles slightly more than 400m tons, instead of the 560m tons reported by the Maritime and Ports Authority of Singapore’.
However, as the Analyst discusses, the ‘correction factor’ presented by the Port of Antwerp may not be accurate.
Read the entire Analyst’s viewpoint @ the Port Strategy website: A need for global standards
