Ports War: Determining Gwadar and Chabahar Ports Trade Attractiveness Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 School of Management Sciences, Ghulam Ishaq Khan (GIK) Insitute of Engineering Sciences and Technology Topi, Swabi, Pakistan

2 NUST Business School (NBS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan

3 Faculty of Materials & Chemical Engineering, Ghulam Ishaq Khan (GIK) Insitute of Engineering Sciences and Technology Topi, Swabi, Pakistan

4 Faculty of Computer Sciences and Engineering, Ghulam Ishaq Khan (GIK) Insitute of Engineering Sciences and Technology Topi, Swabi, Pakistan

Abstract

This study compares the two emerging seaports: Gwadar port (Pakistan); and Chabahar port (Iran). The study evaluates the trade attractiveness among the neighboring countries, i.e., Afghanistan, China, and the Central Asian States, while keeping China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development in perspective. The two ports may provide one of the closest sea links for the resource-rich Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. At the same time, Gwadar provides China with an alternative and short trade route via Pakistan. The study employs the Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique of Multi-Criteria Decision Making methods to evaluate and select the best seaport. The findings establish that Gwadar is a better option. The study also provides recommendations for the authorities of the two ports and the prospective other countries in the neighborhood to ensure maximum return on their investment.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Interdisciplinary Journal of Management Studies (Formerly known as Iranian Journal of Management Studies)
Volume 17, Issue 1
January 2024
Pages 21-35

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