Proceedings of ICLT 2025
AN INITIATIVE-BASED MILP APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABILITY PORT PERFORMANCE
Muhamad Safuan Shamshol Bahri; S.Sarifah Radiah Shariff; Nazry Yahya; Siti Meriam Zahari; Ruth Banomyong
Malaysia Institute of Transport (MITRANS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Malaysia; Research Interest Group Logistics Modelling, Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia; Center of Excellence in Connectivity, Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University, Thailand; Malaysia Institute of Transport (MITRANS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Malaysia; Research Interest Group Logistics Modelling, Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia
International Conference on Logistics & Transport 2025, Tokyo, Japan, pp. 33-40
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to develop a performance evaluation model tailored for Malaysian ports that addresses the limitations of existing global frameworks. While ports are crucial to trade and economic growth, their operations pose environmental challenges, including emissions, pollution, and habitat loss. Sustainable port initiatives are increasingly adopted to address these concerns, but existing performance measurement models often require extensive data and are not suited for localized application. This study seeks to provide a simplified, initiative-based model to assess sustainability performance efficiently and effectively within the Malaysian context. Design/methodology/approach: A Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model was formulated to assess port sustainability based on actual initiatives documented in annual reports from several major ports in Malaysia for over two years. Thematic analysis was used to categorize the initiatives into sub-factors under four core functions: landlord, regulatory, operator, and community. The MILP model incorporated an iterative optimization process involving four weightage scenarios and 100 iterations each, to determine the optimal configuration that maximized the sustainability score (Z), ensuring statistical robustness and relevance to operational realities. Findings: The Operator Function (OF) contributed most significantly to sustainability performance (Z₃ = 1.126), followed by the Landlord Function (Z₁ = 0.487), Regulatory Function (Z₂ = 0.426), and Community Function (Z₄ = 0.292). Despite expert consensus on the importance of infrastructure and long-term environmental planning (LF), ports allocated fewer initiatives to these areas. A clear misalignment was observed between expert-recommended priorities and the actual focus of port operations, with short-term efficiencies prioritized over long-term sustainability goals. Research limitations/implications (if applicable): The study focuses on selected ports over a limited timeframe, which may constrain generalizability. Future research should include multiple ports and a broader data range for validation. Practical implications (if applicable): The model enables Malaysian ports to evaluate sustainability initiatives using readily available data, providing actionable insights for policy adjustments and strategic planning. It functions as a decision- support tool by quantifying the impact of various initiatives, allowing port authorities to prioritize efforts that yield the greatest sustainability benefits. Additionally, the model can be integrated into regular sustainability reporting and internal performance reviews, ensuring alignment with both national green policies and international environmental standards. Its simplified structure supports routine use without requiring extensive technical expertise or large-scale data systems. Originality/value: This study presents a novel, context-specific MILP model that balances simplicity and effectiveness, addressing the data-intensity and generality of conventional sustainability performance models.
Keywords
Sustainable ports; MILP model; Malaysia; performance measurement; port initiatives
Citation
Muhamad Safuan Shamshol Bahri; S.Sarifah Radiah Shariff; Nazry Yahya; Siti Meriam Zahari; Ruth Banomyong (2025). AN INITIATIVE-BASED MILP APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABILITY PORT PERFORMANCE. Proceedings of the International Conference on Logistics & Transport (ICLT 2025), Tokyo, Japan, pp. 33-40.