This study is an exposition of research into the effect of operational efficiency to global competitiveness, with the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal (DBT) being the case study. The Richards Bay DBT is the main dry bulk terminal in the South African ports, operated by Transnet Ports Terminals (TPT), which is a division of the state-owned Transnet Ltd. Because of the strategic position of the DBT as the main dry bulk terminal of the country and also that it is a state owned entity, its competitiveness or otherwise is a reflection of South Africa the country as a trade destination. The research seeks to investigate the problem of the declining volumes handled by the DBT, which is traced to the possible operational inefficiencies and is likely to impede competitiveness of the DBT. While this study will not propose the ultimate solutions to the DBT’s problems, it will identify the root causes and symptoms of the problems, which will ultimately guide what needs to be tested as a better solution. Based on this, it is argued that this topic should generate a lot of interest to the stakeholders both locally and internationally.

Este trabalho avalia a viabilidade financeira da concessão de um novo Porto Organizado hipotético, focado exclusivamente nas operações de contêineres, respeitando os condicionantes impostos pela nova legislação portuária brasileira. Parte-se da compreensão dos fundamentos da regulação, contextualiza-se a institucionalização do novo modelo de concessão de portos no Brasil e detalham-se as etapas a serem percorridas e as entidades envolvidas em cada processo. A concepção do novo porto garante representatividade da realidade brasileira para operações de contêineres. Os racionais de dimensionamento foram definidos de acordo com as características dos principais terminais do país, considerando ajustes necessários, em consequência do aumento de comprimento das embarcações que deverão passar a frequentar os portos nacionais. A ferramenta financeira foi estruturada e parametrizada em consonância com a norma para arrendamentos de instalações portuárias, e avalia o valor presente líquido dos fluxos de caixa livres. O trabalho conclui que a concessão de um novo porto de contêineres com escala compatível com os volumes brasileiros é inviável financeiramente, quando se considera 100% dos investimentos em infra e superestrutura. O projeto torna-se viável nos casos em que o poder público realiza parte significativa dos investimentos ou em regiões onde os volumes sejam suficientes para permitir um terminal de seis berços. / This study evaluates the financial feasibility of the concession of a conceptual public port dedicated exclusively to the handling of containers, developed under the recently published Brazilian port industry legislation. The study begins with a comprehensive understanding of the basic principles of the current legislation, followed by a contextualization of the creation of the concession model for public port development by private enterprise. The steps and institutions involved in the concession process are then detailed. The features of the port designed in this study are similar to those of most container terminals in Brazil. The dimensioning rationales were defined in accordance to the characteristics of the main Brazilian container terminals, taking also into account the necessary adaptations associated with the increasing length of the ships that will be servicing the national ports in the next years. A financial model, which evaluates the net present value of the free cash flows, was built and parameterized in compliance with the norm regulating the leasing of public port facilities. The study concludes that the development of a new public port under concession, considering a demand level similar to that of most Brazilian container terminals and 100% of investments in infrastructure and superstructure carried out by the concessionaire, is not financially feasible. The venture becomes financially feasible if the government undertakes a significant portion of the capital expenditures or if the port is set in a region where the demand justifies the construction of 6 berths.

Este trabalho avalia a viabilidade financeira da concessão de um novo Porto Organizado hipotético, focado exclusivamente nas operações de contêineres, respeitando os condicionantes impostos pela nova legislação portuária brasileira. Parte-se da compreensão dos fundamentos da regulação, contextualiza-se a institucionalização do novo modelo de concessão de portos no Brasil e detalham-se as etapas a serem percorridas e as entidades envolvidas em cada processo. A concepção do novo porto garante representatividade da realidade brasileira para operações de contêineres. Os racionais de dimensionamento foram definidos de acordo com as características dos principais terminais do país, considerando ajustes necessários, em consequência do aumento de comprimento das embarcações que deverão passar a frequentar os portos nacionais. A ferramenta financeira foi estruturada e parametrizada em consonância com a norma para arrendamentos de instalações portuárias, e avalia o valor presente líquido dos fluxos de caixa livres. O trabalho conclui que a concessão de um novo porto de contêineres com escala compatível com os volumes brasileiros é inviável financeiramente, quando se considera 100% dos investimentos em infra e superestrutura. O projeto torna-se viável nos casos em que o poder público realiza parte significativa dos investimentos ou em regiões onde os volumes sejam suficientes para permitir um terminal de seis berços. / This study evaluates the financial feasibility of the concession of a conceptual public port dedicated exclusively to the handling of containers, developed under the recently published Brazilian port industry legislation. The study begins with a comprehensive understanding of the basic principles of the current legislation, followed by a contextualization of the creation of the concession model for public port development by private enterprise. The steps and institutions involved in the concession process are then detailed. The features of the port designed in this study are similar to those of most container terminals in Brazil. The dimensioning rationales were defined in accordance to the characteristics of the main Brazilian container terminals, taking also into account the necessary adaptations associated with the increasing length of the ships that will be servicing the national ports in the next years. A financial model, which evaluates the net present value of the free cash flows, was built and parameterized in compliance with the norm regulating the leasing of public port facilities. The study concludes that the development of a new public port under concession, considering a demand level similar to that of most Brazilian container terminals and 100% of investments in infrastructure and superstructure carried out by the concessionaire, is not financially feasible. The venture becomes financially feasible if the government undertakes a significant portion of the capital expenditures or if the port is set in a region where the demand justifies the construction of 6 berths.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2000. / Bibliography: leaves 294-310.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 245-256).

published_or_final_version / Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy