A Bimodal Transportation Model for Steam Coal Exportation Based on Magdalena River as Main Waterway

Henry Murcia

doi:10.25043/19098642.126

Abstract

The aim of this work is to offer a new alternative to allow the release of the Colombian coal transportation system that nowadays is under a saturation state. For this reason it is proposed, the option of making the exportation of the surplus production granted by the thermic coal mining activity focused on the Cesar department, through a bimodal transportation system that will highlight on the Magdalena River as the most important way for the logistic development of the country. As main key and support tool, the Discrete Event Simulation (DES) methodology was used for conducting experiments based on information which has given the characterization of the proposed system. Hence, the establishment of the conceptual model that determinated and limit the system, a simulation in the software Rockwell Arena was implemented which results were tested and analyzed to study the performance of itself.

Highlights

Nowadays, the rhythm of the world’s economy has experienced a high speed and accelerated growth with the industrialization for those who are known for having emerging markets
Using the main scenario as described above, a set of variables were determinated within its range of values with the purpose of testing the combinations of these looking for the best configuration that will size the proposed system
This research focused on the proposition of a new alternative system for exporting the surplus production of thermal coal produced in the main pits of La Jagua de Ibirico and La Loma, both located on Cesar department of Colombia, with the aim to satisfy a 20 year forecast demand of the mineral for using a bimodal transportation option where the middle and low part of Magdalena river is showed to promote the development of the waterway thinking in the capabilities that the river can offer for exporting goods

Summary

Introduction

The rhythm of the world’s economy has experienced a high speed and accelerated growth with the industrialization for those who are known for having emerging markets. It is possible to highlight countries as China and India as the main leaders of a list twenty nations who are part of these markets. In the same way that the economy of these emerging markets growth, the world coal demand has been sensing a considerable increase because of the economic boom that the world is presenting since the last decades. Instead of others energy sources as oil, gas or renewables, coal is a reliable and low price energy source that presents proven and guaranteed reserves for more than 150 years. On the other hand, thinking about logistics approaches, coal has two important characteristics: Easy production with low technological component and a relatively cheaper transport.

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Conclusion