Enablers for maritime supply chain resilience during pandemic: An integrated MCDM approach

Maritime transport is responsible for carrying over 80% of the world's goods, making it the backbone of the global economy. The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions to supply chains, underscoring the critical need for resilience. However, there is no clear definition of customer-oriented maritime supply chain resilience (MSCR) during pandemic. This study proposes a definition of MSCR in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the needs of customers (i.e., freight service continuity and freight rate stability). The study aims to investigate the hierarchical and causal relationships among MSCR enablers and classify them into driving and dependence power, using an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach that combines Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM), fuzzy Matriced Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement (MICMAC), and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL). A total of eighteen MSCR enablers during the pandemic are identified through literature review and experts' opinions. The results of the study manifest that the most influential enabler is the redundancy plan, while freight service continuity and freight rate stability are determined to be the most significant and resultant enablers. The proposed approach has the potential to assist decision-makers in identifying the critical factors that require focused attention to enhance MSCR in the future.