Abstract:

There is an ongoing process of change and development in information technologies. This process has also impacts on container transportation and ports as in every sector. Container ports which aim to provide high quality service to their customers and to maintain competitive advantage, utilize information technologies for increasing efficiency and security of cargo and port. One of the most important of these technologies is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. RFID systems use the radio frequencies and define the lively beings and/or objects, stable or moving, as singular or plural. RFID is a technology that gathers accurate and automated information in terms of vehicle, equipment and people; therefore it is of great use in port activities. This technology provides many benefits in container ports in terms of identification, monitoring and security. Out of all advantages, RFID technology has also disadvantages and costs are the biggest handicap. In this context it is important to apply benefit-cost analysis with measurable parameters for a container terminal where has been applied RFID technology to its all areas and determine the economy of related investment. In addition academic research on the use of RFID technology in container ports is poor. In this study, the use of RFID technology in container ports was investigated and cost-benefit analysis was performed. Within the framework of measurable parameters for cost-benefit analysis; a medium-sized container terminal that is assumed to use RFID technology in all its processes, is considered. Related investment can reach the breakeven point in the 3rd year. The benefit-cost ratio occurred at the end of the ten years according to the Net Present Value was found to be 1.63.

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