The role of ports in supply chain disruption management

As seaports nowadays integrate further into and increasingly become integrated nodes of supply chains, any disruptive events involving port operations and management would also likely lead to disruption risk in the supply chain. This paper aims to identify these risks, their drivers and discuss strategies to mitigate them effectively. This paper indicates the risks including the vulnerability of physical infrastructures and facilities, shortfalls in the port's operations and management systems, and complexity of interface with other chain players. If these risks were realised they would greatly jeopardise the normal port operations and likely disrupt supply chains. It is argued that, as ports play such an important role in supply chain disruption management, port managers should proactively employ strategies such as risk management, business continuity management, industrial relations management and collaboration with supply chain players so as to mitigate the effects of port-centric supply chain disruption risks effectively.