Analysis of relative efficiency of vessels of passenger transportation in the Brazilian Amazon: an AHP-DEA approach

Waterway transport is of great importance for the population of the Amazon Region. It is responsible for moving, according to Agencia Nacional de Transportes Aquaviarios (Antaq, 2018), approximately 9.8 million passengers and 3.4 million tons of cargo distributed by state, interstate longitudinal transport interstate and crossing. However, despite the great importance, there are several blockages related to the conditions of the roads and vessels in certain routes. The study in question proposes the use of a mathematical tool to analyze vessels from the relative efficiency involving parameters of input and output for two analysis scenarios: Energy Efficiency Analysis and Modality Analysis, being analyzed variables such as power, consumption, total time of the trip, total distance of the line of action, passenger capacity and ticket price. For that, the data of 652 vessels used in the Amazon region registered in the Brazilian states (Para, Amazonas, Amapa and Rondonia) were verified, and from these data, a sample space of 148 vessels from the same utilization level was selected. With these data, a model was developed using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology, with the aid of the DEA-Solver software. After the use of the solver, the relative efficiency indexes of each vessel were obtained, allowing to rank and measure the efficient and inefficient Decision Units (DMU'S). Lastly, analysis of the general characteristics of efficient vessels were made in order to stratify the parameters that may have transformed them into efficient DMU`s, making it possible to trace a profile of the type of vessel employed in each type of line, thus helping in decision making of new projects.