Empirical Study of Port Turnaround Times and Their Economic Impact at Port Harcourt Port

Port turnaround time, the total elapsed time from a vessel's arrival at the port anchorage to its departure after completing cargo operations, is a critical indicator of port efficiency and a direct driver of shipping costs. This study empirically analyses port turnaround times at Port Harcourt Port and quantifies the economic impact of delays on vessel operators and cargo importers. Drawing on a quantitative research design, the study analyses five years of vessel arrival, berth allocation, cargo completion, and departure records from the Nigerian Ports Authority database for Port Harcourt, covering 2019 to 2023. Economic impact is estimated using a shipping cost model that monetises delay in terms of vessel daily running costs, demurrage, and cargo value tied-up costs. Regression analysis is applied to identify the port process variables most strongly associated with turnaround time variability. Results indicate that the mean port turnaround time at Port Harcourt is significantly longer than comparable West African ports, driven primarily by berth allocation waiting time and customs inspection delays. Aggregate economic cost to vessel operators and cargo interests attributable to excess turnaround time is estimated at approximately forty-two billion naira annually at current vessel call rates. The study contributes a quantified economic case for port efficiency investment that bridges the gap between operational logistics research and economic policy analysis. Recommendations include pre-arrival documentation processing, berth scheduling optimisation, and customs procedure digitalisation. Keywords: port turnaround time, port efficiency, Port Harcourt, economic impact, shipping delays