Modelling the grain terminal cargo supply process using the road transportation

Abstract

The largest share of operations in a specialized port terminal consists in grain supply processes usually delivered by motor trucks, on traditional road transportation means. In this respect, any process improvement could add value with a high impact against the terminal productivity. The traditional grain port operation technologies can no longer be used because the maritime business in particular requires new operating rules embedded by the integrated logistics variables, that ensure a shorter delivering time and an enhanced safety framework for cargo operation. Under these circumstances, the processes’ automation using modern technologies of supply, internal transportation, storage and forwarding of cargo flow, permanently monitored with an accurate control of operations, have determined the modern silo functional model. Moreover, the specific operations in the terminal are not only performed by automated processes, but there are many interventions and activities dependent on the human factor. This paper comes with an element of novelty, depicting the most relevant subprocesses carried out in the process of receiving grains in the terminal, in case of road shipment by truck. The authors have developed a model on this scenario, under a logical and generally valid flow sequences, that can be used by both those who want to update the terminal effectiveness and those who forth seek to benefit from a modern terminal functionality, valuing the processes and subprocesses improvement potential, in order to increase the quality of actions taken and the labour productivity, by eliminating port operation congestion and ultimately increasing the operational profit.