Data Normalization Method for Geo-Spatial Analysis on Ports

Based on open access data, 79 Mediterranean passenger ports are analyzed to compare their infrastructure, hinterland accessibility and offered multi-modality categories. Comparative Geo-spatial analysis is also carried out by using the data normalization method in order to visualize the ports' performance on maps. These data driven comprehensive analytical results can bring added value to sustainable development policy and planning initiatives in the Mediterranean Region. The analyzed elements can be also contributed to the development of passenger port performance indicators. The empirical research methods used for the Mediterranean passenger ports can be replicated for transport nodes of any region around the world to determine their relative performance on selected criteria for improvement and planning. The Mediterranean passenger ports were initially categorized into cruise and ferry ports. The cruise ports were identified from the member list of the Association for the Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MedCruise), representing more than 80% of the cruise tourism activities per country. The identified cruise ports were mapped by selecting the corresponding geo-referenced ports from the map layer developed by the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). The United Nations (UN) Code for Trade and Transport Locations (LOCODE) was identified for each of the cruise ports as the common criteria to carry out the selection. The identified cruise ports not listed by the EMODnet were added to the geo-database by using under license the editing function of the ArcMap (version 10.1) geographic information system software. The ferry ports were identified from the open access industry initiative data provided by the Ferrylines, and were mapped in a similar way as the cruise ports (Figure 1). Based on the available data from the identified cruise ports, a database (see Table A1–A3) was created for a Mediterranean scale analysis. The ferry ports were excluded due to the unavailability of relevant information on selected criteria (Table 2). However, the cruise ports serving as ferry passenger ports were identified in order to maximize the scope of the analysis. Port infrastructure and hinterland accessibility data were collected from the statistical reports published by the MedCruise, which are a compilation of data provided by its individual member port authorities and the cruise terminal operators. Other supplementary sources were the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO) and the Global Ports Holding, a cruise terminal operator with an established presence in the Mediterranean. Additionally, open access data sources (e.g. the Google Maps and Trip Advisor) were consulted in order to identify the multi-modal transports and bridge the data gaps on hinterland accessibility by measuring the approximate distances