FACTORS AFFECTING CARGO HANDING PROCESS IN PORTS OF SAHATHAI TERMINAL, THAILAND.

Abstract

         The objective of this research was to explore factors affecting cargo handing process in ports of Sahathai Terminal. This research was qualitative and was conducted by interviewing personnel of the ports and studying the work process of cargo handling at the ports of Sahathai Terminal. The 3 ports on which the research was conducted were BMTP Port, Suksawat Terminal and Sahathai Terminal in Samut Prakan, Thailand. The analysis of cargo handling process was carried out in order to determine factors and problems which affect cargo handling process at the 3 ports. The results showed that the main factors affecting the cargo handling process were improper use of machinery, multiple roles of ship operation officers, use of part-time foreign stevedores, communication issues and utilization of port areas. From the results, a guideline has been created to reduce the problems in order to improve cargo handling process in the ports of Sahathai Terminal.