Determinant criteria in the ocean carrier selection process

This study examines key determinant criteria used by import and export shippers when selecting an international containership carrier. A sample of import and export shippers were asked to evaluate eighteen service characteristics based on whether or not the characteristics were required by their international containership carriers. The results of Pearson chi-square tests indicate a significant difference between import shippers and export shippers on three of the eighteen service characteristics. Import shippers were more demanding of their carriers by requiring door-to-door transportation rates, shipment expediting, and shipment tracing services