Studies that have identified the various factors influencing a port's performance and efficiency are few. Furthermore, these studies have failed to quantify the relative contributions of these factors to overall port performance and efficiency. This article attempts to fill this gap by establishing a model of port performance and efficiency. Specifically, it aims to specify and empirically test the various factors which influence the performance and efficiency of a port. Based on a sample of 23 international ports, the study inter alia is able to provide an empirical basis for the crucial role of terminal efficiency relative to other factors in the overall port performance.
