Benchmarking the port services: a customer oriented proposal

In recent years, ports have experienced a period of significant growth and development along with intense inter‐port rivalry as a consequence of intermodality and hinterland development. It is therefore vital that port management bodies define and implement suitable strategies. This paper aims to adapt the benchmarking technique to the sphere of ports. Compares the activity of a port with that of its competitors, which is considered to be excellent. This is a strategic approach where consideration of the needs of the client, shipping lines and export‐import companies is the axis of the benchmarking process.