Investment Priorities of the Budgets for Disaster and Safety Management Projects Based on Euclidean Distance with AHP

The object of this study is to determine investment priorities for various types of disasters and accidents in order to promote the investment efficiency of disaster and safety management budgets. To this end, data were collected on 35 types of disasters and accidents and damage statistics for the five most recent years (2014-2018) from 43 disaster and safety management projects budgets. Factors are (ｉ) the damage status of overall disasters and accidents: annual average number of occurrences, human casualties, and property losses, and (ⅱ) the characteristics of large-scale events: occurrence cycle, human casualties per disaster, and property losses per disaster. Investment priority was determined using Euclidean distance with weights determined by the AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) to represent the current status of damage caused by disasters and accidents. As a result, storm⋅flood and maritime accidents were found to have greatest investment priority. Heat waves, heavy snows (including cold waves), infectious diseases, suicides, fires (including explosions), and accidents in vulnerable social groups show a higher ranking of investment priority. Massive investment in disaster and safety management focusing on these types is necessary.

A Model for Developing Existing Ports Considering Economic Impact and Network Connectivity

This study discusses the problem of determining which container port should be developed within an existing network and when this should be carried out. A case study of Indonesia’s port network is presented, where several new ports are to be improved to ensure smooth interisland transportation flows of goods. The effects of the investment on economic consequences and increased network connectivity are assessed. When improving the ports, we consider that the available budget limits the investment. The network connectivity is evaluated by considering the number of reachable ports from the developed ports or transportation time required from other ports within the same port cluster. Based on our knowledge, our study is the first one that discusses the investment problem in multiple container ports under single management, as well as its effects regarding the increase in container flows. The problem is introduced and three mathematical models are proposed and used to solve a real problem. The results show that different models have different improved aspects of container transportation flows—e.g., a balanced improvement of the whole port network (Model 2) and appropriate investment priority for port clusters (Model 3).

An Analysis of Hydro-energy Deficit in Nepal

Even though Nepal has a huge hydropower capacity, it has not been able to fully exploit this vast resource for economic growth. Despite having access to electricity, the country's power sector is underperforming, with supply shortages, reliability issues, and restricted access. Nepal has been able to produce about three percent of the economic viability and less than two percent of the total potentiality. If the investment priority is made in energy sector, it contributes sufficiently to the national economy. Still there is energy deficit in Nepal basically in dry season due to lower production and high demand.

PORT TERMINAL IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF BRAZIL: DECISION ABOUT PUBLIC PORT OR PRIVATE USE TERMINAL

Brazil plays an important role in the world’s trade of agricultural grains, notably soybeans. Recently, Brazilian production of soybeans has moved to the central-western and northern regions, thus creating a demand for new outflow routes for export. This paper discusses the decision factors for the implementation of specialized port terminals located in the northeast and north of the country, specifically in the area known as Arco Norte. As a methodology, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) decision tool is used. This involves applying a questionnaire to port experts and managers to identify and classify decision criteria for investments in the possible alternatives available in Brazil’s regulatory legislation: leasing of structures in a public port terminal or implementing a private terminal. The results show Port Location (54%) as the most relevant criteria, followed by Economic and Financial (27.8%), Performance and Dimensioning (11.2%), and Contract and Legislation (6.9%) criteria. The study pointed to the investment priority the mode Private Use Terminals, which is confirmed by the country’s recent investment in port terminals which has been effective.