Cargo allocation in Brazilian ports: An analysis through fuzzy logic and social networks

Empirical and anecdotal evidence suggests Brazilian ports are running short in operational capacity for cargo handling and shipping movements. This paper focuses on the joint use of Fuzzy Logic (FL) reasoning and Social Network Analysis (SNA) to assess the cargo allocation pattern in Brazilian ports while shedding some light on policy-making directions and future research venues. Results suggest that cargo allocation patterns vary depending on the cargo type and product type. One can also infer that shippers prioritize distance in relation to other port allocation criteria. In the case of containerized cargo, this may be due to its higher value added compared to bulk cargo. Sensitivity analyses are also performed on the weights of port allocation criteria to explore opportunities for cargo relocation among ports in Brazil.