A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF PORT CHARGES EXEMPTIONS ON THE SELECTION OF PORT OF CALL FOR CRUISE LINES

Abstract

 Before the global spread of COVID-19, the number of cruise ship calls in Japan had been increasing rapidly. However, based on the investment in the development of the receiving environment, the situation of exempting port charges and not charging terminal facility fees was not sustainable for port management bodies, and it is no exaggeration to say that there was over-competition among ports. One of the reasons for this situation is that previous studies have not shown how much the difference in port charges with other ports affects the number of port calls. In this paper, we developed a simulation model of port selection and quantitatively analyzed the effect of port charges on the selection of port of call for cruise ships, with the aim of providing materials for shifting to appropriate inter-port competition and sustainable port operation for port management bodies. As a result of the analysis of the case studies of Tokyo Port and Yokohama Port, it is suggested that the reduction of port charges by exemption has no significant effect on the selection of ports of call, and that it is desirable for port management bodies to charge appropriately.