Browsing by Author "Bhanu Prakash, Nookala"

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A Generic algorithm based data envelopment analysis to measure efficiency levels at liquid terminals of major ports of India during 2013-14 to 2017-18.
(2019) Pavan Kumar, Pannala; Bhanu Prakash, Nookala; Ramalingeswara Rao, B. V.; Anirudh, Bhavana
India, a vibrant economy with potential scope for development had attracted investments into multiple sectors of economy both by Indian and foreign investors. However, reliance on imports of energy requirements had put pressure on its foreign exchange. India’s own petro resources are not sufficient to meet the growing demands of its economy. Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) along with natural gas products have been the major importing cargo for India and therefore account for as a major importing bill for the nation. Shipping had been the cheapest and safest way to transport of this cargo and ports have been contributing towards the smooth movement of POL products in India. It is imperative for the Indian ports to efficiently handle this key cargo and reduce the overall logistics cost involved in the entire supply chain. With over 32% share, POL accounts to be the single largest cargo handled at Major ports of India. Considering the significance of this major cargo component, it is important to check the level of efficiency with which the ports handle. Such studies on POL terminal operations would help the major ports to learn from the efficient ports among them. Lack of existing literature measuring performances of liquid terminals at major port has motivated this study to fill the gap and check the efficiency with which these liquid terminals are actually operating. Research works addressing port performance, covering ports and container terminals, have used Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a popular non-parametric technique to measure efficiency levels. Taking a cue from these studies measuring port efficiency, this study has applied Genetic Algorithm based DEA to measure efficiency at liquid terminals of the major ports of India. Results at the 12 major ports handling liquid cargo show that none of the port had attained the efficiency level of 1 and that all ports have a lot of scope to improve their performance.
Cost assessment and tariff determination : cargo handling experiences at a private port
(5 Case Centre, 2015) Bhanu Prakash, Nookala; Dhingra, Tarun; Bangar Raju, T.; Ramalingeswara Rao, B. V.
(This case is written based on personal observations, interactions, and information collected from authorities of a private port in Gujarat and is purely for academic discussions to suit post graduate students. Taking this objective as cue and as per suggestions of authorities, financial figures are tweaked and name of the port is not disclosed.) Assessment of costs involved in handling a ship holds key for calculating tariff to be levied for services provided to client. A port provides numerous services to a ship that visits for loading and/or unloading of cargo and in the process incurs numerous costs. Precision in identifying costs incurred while providing services and charging clients accordingly help in maintaining confidence of clients and profits for port. The present case deals with cargo handling process of a private port and costs determination for such services. A port attempts to provide reliable and speedy services at competitive prices for its clients so as to maintain client satisfaction and business. Ports in competitive market environment are investing huge amount of funds on infrastructural setup only to reduce stay time of both ship and cargo at the port. Modern ports, often, maintain alternative mechanism to handle the cargo that they handle. This Case Study is based on the observations, interactions and subsequent data collection from a private port in Gujarat on west coast of India and covers assessment of costs involved in handling a ship arriving with coal that the port is to handle for one of its clients. A port also provides certain additional services as desired by client for further charges. A decision on identifying a cost-effective alternative with ease of handling from among two modes of cargo handling process is to be made by the students. The case is well suited for students with ability to understand process costing concepts.
Infrastructure in India : Contribution of ports to the economy and the road ahead
(Social Science Research Network, 2011-12) Bhanu Prakash, Nookala; Ramalingeswara Rao, B. V.
The economic development of a nation depends on several factors, and a developed infrastructure sector is one of the key determinants. 21st century has mandated adequate investments by the government and private sectors in the infrastructure sector for sustainable economic development. Economic liberalization has allowed a free flow of investments across the world, and Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) are looking for safe avenues for easy investment and expansion. One of their primary issues of concern is obviously the status of infrastructure in the target country. India, being a favorable destination for investments from MNCs, attracts huge exports and imports. Port infrastructure is one of the key indicators of sound infrastructural setup of a country. Ports are the gateway for foreign trade and developed port facilities provide a platform for smooth exports and imports. Around 13 major and over 190 non-major ports in India contribute to around 95% in volume and 75% in value to Indian foreign trade. The substandard performance of Indian ports, in comparison to their counterparts, affects business. The present study aims to track the progress and advancements made by the Indian ports and their future scope for development. It also highlights the inherent constraints in the development of Indian ports and suggests certain pertinent measures to enhance the functioning of this key sector.
Major ports of India : performance appraisal of selected financial parameters using correlation analysis
(Indian Economic Journal : Journal of the Indian Economic Association, 2013-02) Bhanu Prakash, Nookala; Ramalingeswara Rao, B. V.; Anupama, T.
Major ports of India play vital role in the economy and their contribution to the development of nation is reflected in the ever-growing quantities of cargo handled by them. India has 13 major ports and the overall cargo handled by all these ports stood to the tune of 930 MT in 2011-12. However, one of the major concerns for the government has been the performance standards of these ports which, unfortunately, are not in line of the expected efficiency levels. Major ports in India are running under multiple constraints like congestion, outdated technology, improper hinterland connectivity, and higher dependence on manual cargo handling procedures. At the same time, they are dependent on the government for their financing and investment decisions. It may be observed that the government is slowly releasing the major ports from clutches of its control. Privatisation of port services through PPP mode and granting of administrative autonomy to the management of the port trusts are two major steps taken by the government to improve the work efficiencies of the major ports. Result-oriented initiatives such as National Maritime Development Program 2007-2012 and Maritime Agenda: 2010-20, initiated by the ministry, to improve the infrastructural set-up at major ports are being implemented to increase the efficiencies among the major ports. The objective of the present study is to analyse the performance of major ports using some financial metrics during the period 1995-96 to 2010-11. It is quite interesting to note that all the major ports work with different efficiency levels and the study aspires to find about the performance levels of these ports on the basis of their financial performances. The study aims to find if there is any significant impact on the revenue generated by the ports and the ever-growing costs in handling the cargo.