Evaluating Port Performance in EU Countries with Fuzzy and Grey Logic

Ports are fundamental components of global supply chains, and their performance is critical to sustaining international trade and economic activity. Recognizing that existing studies often focus on individual ports rather than broader regional patterns, a new hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model is proposed to provide a more comprehensive assessment framework. Based on expert judgments, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) results indicate that cargo type is the most influential determinant, followed by cargo direction and container volume. Using Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution - Grey (EDAS-G) and Additive Ratio Assessment - Grey (ARAS-G), the port performance across 24 EU countries for the period 2014-2023, incorporating a temporal dimension that enables multi-year trend analysis. The hybrid grey-based ranking shows that Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany rank the highest, while Slovenia, Bulgaria, Malta, and Cyprus consistently rank at the lower end.