Research Information System
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT ECONOMICS, vol.50, no.1-2, pp.143-177, 2023 (SSCI)
Purpose : Shipping is a derived demand, and nearly 90 percent of global trade is seaborne. Freight rates, which are shaped as a consequence of the demand originating from global trade, are referred to as the indicator of the global economy. As a result of the discovery and analysis of the factors affecting freight rates, some basic factors that refer to all transport modes shall be deemed determined and their effects measured. In this context, the purpose of the study is to examine the factors affecting maritime transportation freight rates and to determine the ship types affected by these factors. Design/methodology/approach : In the study, a total of 17 criteria were sorted using the fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS method. Among the various ship types included in the study, tanker, dry bulk carrier and multi-purpose ship, which are the basic ship types serving in different markets, are included in the methodology as alternatives. The data used in the study were collected from 15 shipbroker experts. Main findings : The research revealed that the most important factor in freight rates is economic crises, and the least important factor is ship technology. In addition, it has been determined that the ship type least affected by the factors affecting freight rates is the tanker type ship. Originality/value : It is believed that this study, with its relevance, identification and utilization of unique factors, and the use of realistic scientific methods to determine actual effects, will make significant contributions to the literature.