An evaluation of the success factors for ship management companies using fuzzy evaluation method

The aim of this research is to identify the success factors for shipping management companies (SMCs), to evaluate the importance of these factors, and finally to determine the differences in perceptions between ship owners and SMCs. The fuzzy evaluation method together with experts' knowledge is used, because they are capable of overcoming evaluation difficulties by accommodating both tangible and intangible variables in one single framework of evaluation. The differences between ship owners and SMCs' perceptions are then established. The results show that SMCs rank 'quick responses to ship owners' first, followed by 'ship management fees' and 'the efficient management of ships' operational costs'. Ship owners perceive 'the efficient management of ships' operational costs', 'the ability to recruit the full required manpower' and 'the potential for high-quality management' as most important.