TOPSIS and AHP techniques for selecting the most efficient marine container yard gantry crane

Abstract

Increasing global usage of containerised cargo in maritime trade imposes heavy traffic on both of the quayside and landside marine container terminals. Untangling this problem, terminal operators have to choose the most efficient operating system in their terminals. This study analyses the concept of Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) for selecting the most efficient yard gantry crane in marine container terminals among three alternatives including Straddle Carrier (SC), Rail Mounted Gantry Crane (RMG), and Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane (RTG). Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) are used as decision making tools during this research. The paper also provides an accurate comparison on the results of AHP and TOPSIS techniques.