Round 1, Consensus 2 Analysis

Of the total 33 returned responses, 29 responded with an agreement opinion, 2 returned a disagreement opinion, and 2 were unsure how to respond. The importance of Round 1, Question 2 is indicated by if panel member believe that dry ports have any future potential to develop further success for container terminals or not which in return would help them become more dynamic, competitive and successful at the regional level. The following text will analyse some of the opinions retuned by the panel members.

Agree Arguments:

Agree Arguments: Thread A

“I agree that dry ports will add value and support marine ports”

“Dry ports are one of many reasons to achieve success and consider one of strength points”

119 Agree Arguments: Thread B

“it will raise the pressure rested upon their shoulders to perform high productivity” “if there are available space productivity may increase”

“if it has enough capacity to accommodate more capacity”

“Because port terminal might be able to receive a higher volume of containers” “it will help in increasing terminals capacities”

“For the limitation of releasing congestion pressure & ease of access”

Agree Arguments: Thread C

“Good connections to dry ports are important but unlikely to be the deciding factor between competing ports. Dry ports are only a part of the solution.”

“Dry ports are of eminent importance in network strategy” “Especially for distant dry ports”

Of the opinions returned in agreement with Round 1, Question 2 there were three main threads of opinion identified. Of the 33 returned responses, 29 returned in agreement that dry ports can help terminal operators to become more successful in regional competition. However opinion appears to concentrate on some benefits of dry port implementation such as increasing terminal capacities, improve performance and decreasing port congestion. Many authors supported this point as reviewed in chapter two (see section 2.4.3 & 2.4.4) where the benefits of dry ports and importance of implementation were discussed extensively.

Thread A opinion was in agreement of dry ports as a value added to marine ports which helps in facilitating and improving performance. So, it can be considered as one of the key success and strength points for container terminals.

Thread B opinion focused on the benefit of dry ports in increasing capacity and productivity. All their comments refer to the fact that a terminal might be able to receive a higher volume of containers due to space availability which means a

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terminal can accommodate more capacity which in return leads to higher terminal productivity.

The opinion in thread C highlights the importance of the dry port network strategy. Any solution can result in failure if it is not implemented in the right way, so choosing dry port location is very important to the success of the whole network. Dry port location can vary according to several factors as previously discussed in chapter two (section 2.6). Also, three types of dry ports were identified: distant, midrange and close dry ports (Roso et al. 2009). Therefore choosing good terminal connections should be carefully selected because it will affect the whole transport chain.

Disagreement Arguments:

“There are other factors can help terminal operators in regional competition”

The opinion clarified that there are other factors that help terminal operators to become more successful in regional competition. A dry port is not the only deciding factor, which is not against the statement. The statement says ―dry port can help terminal operators to become more successful in regional competition‖ but it does not suggest that it is the only factor in terminal success.

5.2.3 Round 1, Consensus 3

The third consensus ranked at 87.88% which is a moderate agreement consensus. 87.88% of the 33 responses returned for Round 1 Question 4 believe that it is better to provide a list of regulations and legislation by government that supports, controls and governs investment policy and decisions in new dry ports 5.2.3.1 Round 1, Consensus 3 Analysis

Of the total 33 returned responses, 29 responded with an agreement opinion, 2 returned a disagreement opinion, and 2 were unsure how to respond. The importance of Round 1, Question 4 is to ascertain whether the panel member consider the existence of dry port regulations and legislation by government will

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positively affect terminal operators decisions regarding new investments in dry ports or not.

Agree Arguments:

Agree Arguments: Thread A “I agree but to some extent”

“Governments should regulate not operate”

“Yes, there are rules for airports and seaports; there should be ones for DRY- ports as well”

“Policy making is important in order to safeguard effective and ecological developments”

“In order to ensure the absence of constraints” “The important to be rigid policy for long period”

Agree Arguments: Thread B

“That could reduce the risk of monopoly” “Something to fight monopoly”

The agreement arguments had two clear threads of opinion and the opinion of Thread A illustrates a strong agreement on setting dry ports‘ regulations and legislation by government but only to a certain degree. Panel member stressed the difference between ―regulate‖ and ―operate‖; in other words, rules should be set by government but terminal operation and control should be left to the terminal operators. While panel members in thread B agree on the statement but from different perspectives, they suggest that governmental regulation will fight against the risk of monopoly.

Disagreement Arguments:

“I prefer that these ports should be independent”

The disagreement argument reflects the other point of view, which is that each port should be operated and governed by itself. This argument agrees with

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independency, they do not prefer any control on their decisions. Whether to invest in dry ports or not, where to locate this dry port or even its capacity, etc. they prefer to take their own decisions by their top management and the way they feel it is acceptable to their goals.

5.2.4 Round 1, Consensus 4

The fourth consensus ranked at 78.79% which is a low consensus. 78.79% of the 33 responses returned for Round 1 consider that dry ports can help in maintaining maritime growth and global sustainability.