Evaluation of Persian Gulf ports based on multi-criteria decision making models with fuzzy approach

. The purpose of this research is to find the most important factors affecting port selection and determine the most optimal port using these factors in the main port of the Persian Gulf (Jebel Ali port of Dubai, Shahid Rajaei port of Bandar Abbas, Iran) and the port of Shah Abdul Aziz Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
This research has been done in three stages. In the first step, using the literature review of the subject and collecting expert opinions, using the Delphi technique, the criteria for assessing the ports were gathered. At the next stage, a researcher-made questionnaire was developed, the validity of which was obtained by eight experts and its distribution. Among the experts of port authorities and experts of shipping companies of Shahid Rajaee port weighed the most important factors affecting the selection of ports in the Persian Gulf. In In the third stage, using the results of the second questionnaire and based on the methods A multi-criteria decision making (topsis) with a fuzzy approach attempted to rank the best port in the Persian Gulf region.
The results of this study indicate that Jebel Ali Port (UAE) with the score of 0.730469 ranked first, Shahid Rajaee Port (Islamic Republic of Iran) with the score of 0.552427 and ranked third in the port of King Abdul Aziz (Saudi Arabia) With a score of 0.428903.