Container Freight Station Research Articles

Analysis of Constraints against Efficiency of Seaport-hinterland Logistics in Nigeria

Having realized that most Nigerian seaports are congested and the problem of moving goods have been difficult, the Federal Government through Bureau of Public Enterprises and Nigerian Shippers’ Council were mandated to identify Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and Container Freight Stations (CFSs) across the country with connectivity to rail transport. Since 2004 to date, these have mostly not been functioning. This paper therefore examined the constraints and possible factors responsible. The Nigerian Ports Authority, Road Haulage Association, Terminal Operators, selected Shipping companies were used as respondents. 34.1% (253) from the population of 743 respondents were sampled with the use of Cochran formula and stratified random sampling technique. Shaphiro Test and multiple regression were used to analyze the constraints against the use of ICDs and CFSs. Principal Component Analysis was used to extract the major factors hindering port-hinterland logistics in Nigeria. It was observed that 50% of general logistics constraints emanated from lack of efficient rail system, enforcement and finance combined. Extracted causative factors against port-hinterland movements of goods are: inadequate terminal capacity, parking and inadequacy of cargo handling facilities. The research concluded that both general constraints and causative factors are to be looked into with stringent policy enforcement.

Advanced golden jackal optimization for solving the constrained integer stochastic optimization problems

Constrained integer stochastic optimization problems (CISOP) are optimization problems where the cost function is stochastic and the constraints are deterministic. Solving the CISOP using conventional optimization techniques is time-consuming when the design space is huge. Ordinal optimization offers an efficient technique suitable for solving the CISOP. In this paper, an approach that uses golden jackal optimization assisted by ordinal optimization (GJOO) is developed for resolving the CISOP in a relatively short time. The GJOO is composed of three phases: metamodel, global search, and ranking and selection. At first, the polynomial chaos expansion is used as a metamodel to rapidly assess a solution. Next, advanced golden jackal optimization is adopted to determine N excellent solutions from the entire design space. At last, the modified optimal computing budget allocation is adopted to determine a distinguished solution from the N excellent solutions. The GJOO is utilized to the shipping/receiving docks optimization problem of a container freight station in air cargo. The performances of the GJOO are compared with those of five meta-heuristic methods. Empirical results demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the GJOO algorithm.

Multi-period empty container repositioning approach for multimodal transportation

Due to the trade imbalance and poor management, a large number of empty containers are piled up after unpacking in importing regions, while the export-oriented areas are in urgent need of empty containers for replenishment. This paper aims to determine the volume of empty containers transferred from the surplus area to the shortage area and the inventory of each node from the operational level. We subdivide container freight stations into rail stations and road stations and consider using sea, road, and railway as transportation modes to transfer empty containers. A multi-period linear programing model of multimodal empty container repositioning is established aiming at minimizing the cost of empty container repositioning. A real case study of the transportation network in Northeast China is conducted to demonstrate that using multiple modes of transportation can significantly reduce the cost of empty container repositioning compared to using a single mode of transportation.

Assessing carbon emissions reduction by incorporating automated monitoring system during transit: a case study

The green concept in operations is becoming an inevitable part of global maritime logistics activities and has an important influence on the improvement of efficiency and environmental performance. This paper aims to assess the continuous monitoring and tracking of container shipments at the ports in order to reduce carbon emissions thus improving environmental performance. In this research, near real-time RFID data tracing and tracking container cargo are shared by the automated monitoring system. The collected data gathered via digitalization is further analyzed to ensure a greener maritime logistics system. The significant findings of the study for the literature show that the actual fuel consumption is reduced when automated monitoring systems are used at the ports (Ports and CFS (Container freight station)). The reduced fuel consumption during the transit between the ports and CFS has resulted in a reduction in carbon emissions of environmental performance. The results show a 6 % reduction in emissions from port to CFS and 23% from CFS to ports. Thus, effective practices in Green Logistics are considered to be beneficial for carbon emissions. These findings contribute to the understanding and development of effective strategies for logistic operations using technologies to create a green performance. The study was performed in a certain set of environmental dimensions and the results may vary depending on the organization, which can be studied further in future research.

A Study on Port (Terminals) Operational Efficiency Analysis Using PCA-DEA Approach: Focusing on Container Terminals on Busan Port

Previous literature has recognised the importance of port efficiency to port performance, and two popular methodologies of DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) and SFA (Stochastic Frontier Analysis) have been widely applied to efficiency evaluation. However, there seems a limitation of lacking objectivity when selecting the variables of inputs and outputs. Meanwhile, as for the largest port in Korea, although many related efficiency studies already exist for Busan Port, most of them are founded on a whole port level basis while seldom on the container terminal level. Therefore, to fill the gap, this paper introduces a PCA (Principal Component Analysis) - DEA approach to research the operational efficiency of nine container terminals of Busan Port with the latest data of 2021. The PCA-DEA port (terminal) evaluation approach is practical and unbiased, and it may have some special practical value for the port industry. Container throughput is set as the output, and 13 variables from three scopes of land, facilities and labour are identified as inputs, followed by PCA which eventually detects three indictors of “No. transfer crane (RMGC) in yard”, “Staff average salary” and “Container freight station (CFS) space” as the core inputs representing the above three dimensions. Then, the DEA (CCR) and DEA (BCC) models are used to gain the assessment results: “PNIT, “PNC” and “HJNC” are DEA efficiency, while others of “HPNT”, “BNCT”, “Jaseongdae”, “Shinseondae”, “Gamman” and “Shin Gamman” are non-DEA efficiency. In addition, to achieve the target efficiency for the non-effective terminals, this paper confirms improvements through Return to Scale (ROS) and input redundancy discussion. This study objectively evaluates port terminals and provides useful data when establishing strategies to strengthen port efficiency and competitiveness in the future.

Optimization of Gantry Cranes’ Operation Path for Transshipment Based on Improved TSP

In order to improve the transshipment efficiency of transit containers in the port or the port-type railway network container freight station (PRNCS) with the condition that each transit container matches a railway flat-car, this paper studied the optimization of operation path of the rail mounted gantry crane (RMG) in the loading and unloading track for containers transshipped directly from highway to railway. Based on the basic model of TSP, the paper constructed the optimization model for the operation path of RMG, and designed the Ant Colony Algorithm (ACA) to solve it, and then obtained the operation scheme of RMG having the highest efficiency. Finally, the validity and correctness of the model and algorithm were verified by a case.

Расчет параметров контейнерной площадки

This work is devoted to the development of software for automatic performance for the calculation of container freight station parameters. The article provides a brief description of the functional features of the program. The technical composition of a typical container terminal is described. Detailed flowcharts for implementing the main calculation procedures are presented. The distinctive features and areas of practical application of the program are formulated.

Railway Container Station Reselection Approach and Application: Based on Entropy-Cloud Model

Reasonable railway container freight stations layout means higher transportation efficiency and less transportation cost. To obtain more objective and accurate reselection results, a new entropy-cloud approach is formulated to solve the problem. The approach comprises three phases: Entropy Method is used to obtain the weight of each subcriterion during Phase 1, then cloud model is designed to form the evaluation cloud for each subcriterion during Phase 2, and finally during Phase 3 we use the weight during Phase 1 to multiply the initial evaluation cloud during Phase 2. MATLAB is applied to determine the evaluation figures and help us to make the final alternative decision. To test our approach, the railway container stations in Wuhan Railway Bureau were selected for our case study. The final evaluation result indicates only Xiangyang Station should be renovated and developed as a Special Transaction Station, five other stations should be kept and developed as Ordinary Stations, and the remaining 16 stations should be closed. Furthermore, the results show that, before the site reselection process, the average distance between two railway container stations was only 74.7 km but has improved to 182.6 km after using the approach formulated in this paper.

Monitoring of Pollution Using Density, Biomass and Diversity Indices of Macrobenthos from Mangrove Ecosystem of Uran, Navi Mumbai, West Coast of India

In this study, density, biomass and diversity indices of selected macrobenthos were assessed from substations along Sheva creek and Dharamtar creek mangrove ecosystems of Uran [Raigad], Navi Mumbai, west coast of India from April 2009 to March 2011. A total of 86 species of macrobenthos representing 61 genera and 45 families were identified comprising of gastropods, pelecypods, cephalopods, polychaetes, sponges, crabs, prawns and shrimps. Higher values of density, biomass and diversity indices were recorded during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon than the monsoon. Diversity values in the study area ranged from 0.203 to 0.332 indicating heavy pollution and the macro benthic fauna is under stress due to discharge of domestic wastes and sewage, effluents from industries, oil tanking depots and also from maritime activities of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust [JNPT], hectic activities of Container Freight Stations [CFS], and other port wastes. This study reveals that macro benthic fauna from mangrove ecosystems of Uran is facing the threat due to anthropogenic stress.

Fuzzy random programming models for location-allocation problem with applications

Three types of fuzzy random programming models based on the mean chance for the capacitated location-allocation problem with fuzzy random demands are proposed according to different criteria, including the expected cost minimization model, the α-cost minimization model, and the chance maximization model. In order to solve the proposed models, some hybrid intelligent algorithms are designed by integrating the network simplex algorithm, fuzzy random simulation, and genetic algorithm. Finally, some numerical examples about a container freight station problem are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the devised algorithms.

Monitoring of impact of anthropogenic inputs on water quality of mangrove ecosystem of Uran, Navi Mumbai, west coast of India

Surface water samples were collected from substations along Sheva creek and Dharamtar creek mangrove ecosystems of Uran (Raigad), Navi Mumbai, west coast of India. Water samples were collected fortnightly from April 2009 to March 2011 during spring low and high tides and were analyzed for pH, Temperature, Turbidity, Total solids (TS), Total dissolved solids (TDS), Total suspended solids (TSS), Dissolved oxygen (DO), Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Carbon dioxide (CO2), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Salinity, Orthophosphate (O-PO4), Nitrite–nitrogen (NO2–N), Nitrate–nitrogen (NO3–N), and Silicates. Variables like pH, turbidity, TDS, salinity, DO, and BOD show seasonal variations. Higher content of O-PO4, NO3–N, and silicates is recorded due to discharge of domestic wastes and sewage, effluents from industries, oil tanking depots and also from maritime activities of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), hectic activities of Container Freight Stations (CFS), and other port wastes. This study reveals that water quality from mangrove ecosystems of Uran is deteriorating due to industrial pollution and that mangrove from Uran is facing the threat due to anthropogenic stress.

Attitude of the Customs House Agents towards the Container Freight Stations: An Empirical Study Investigation at Chennai

Attitude of the Customs House Agents towards the Container Freight Stations: An Empirical Study Investigation at Chennai

CFS 입지에 따른 경제적 효과 평가

Container Freight Station(CFS)은 터미널의 내부 또는 외부에 배치되어 여러 화주의 소량(Less than Container Load ; LCL) 화물을 컨테이너화시키거나, 수입된 컨테이너에서 내품을 인출하여 여러 화주에게 분산시키는 기능을 담당하고 있다. 하지만 CFS가 터미널 내부에 배치될 경우에는 LCL화물을 운송하기 위한 일반차량의 운행이 증가하여 터미널 주변의 교통 혼잡, 높은 사회 비용 및 물류비용의 발생, 장치장의 장치 여건 악화 등과 같은 문제를 초래한다. 본 연구는 현재 개발 중인 부산신항만을 대상으로 CFS를 각 터미널 내부에 개별적으로 배치하는 경우와 북측 컨테이너 부두 배후지에 거점화할 경우에 대해 총 비용 관점(사회적 비용과 물류비용)에서 경제성을 평가하는 것을 그 목적으로 한다. Container Freight Station(CFS), which would be located inside terminal or outside, plays the role of consolidating less than container load(LCL) cargo gathered from multi shippers and deconsolidating full container load cargo into individual consignment. When CFS is allocated inside terminal it muses several problem such as traffic gam around terminal, high social and logistics cost and deterioration of terminal condition. This study, therefore, tries to evaluate the location of CFS, inside and outside of terminal, with respect to the social and logistics costs.

CFS管理システムへの人工現実感応用に関する基礎研究-II : 視覚表示について

We showed that it is feasible for constructing the Artificial Reality (AR) system on a personal computer in the former report. It was also found that easy movement of sight line and more accurate vehicle modeling are important for applying Container Freight Station (CFS) management. In this study, Head Mounted Display (HMD) is introduced to the AR system in order to facilitate the movement of sight line. A series of tests for a prototype forklift (3.5ton type) and for a virtual forkift in AR system is carried out, in order to compare the characteristics of the CRT display system and that of the HMD system. The time for performing the jobs and flicker-value are measured, and the direct question of inquiry for system drivers is carried out. Results are summarized as follows; 1. HMD system has better performance than CRT display system in workability. The measured time for a virtual forklift in HMD system is almost the same as the time for a real forklift. 2. Binocular stereoscopic display is more effective than monocular stereoscopic display. 3. Although the time performance is poor, the CRT display system is highly rated in the direct question of inquiry. From this result the CRT display system can be used for the jobs with less sight line movement.

CFSにおける貨物運用管理に関する研究 : レイアウトデザインについて

In this paper, we have studied the block layout design of a CFS (Container Freight Station) to improve the working efficiency. To evaluate the layout design, simulations using multistage queuing network model are carried out. The effect of each design is quantitatively investigated by calculating working periods of forklift trucks, traffic volume and floor area efficiency. Results are shown below; 1. The forklift operation between the 1st storing area and the 2nd storing area for vanning is key to reduce break hours between work periods and total working hours in this CFS. 2. Total working hours and traffic can be reduced by changing block layout design. 3. In the most effective layout, total working hours is 15% less than and traffic is 14% less than in present layout, without adding new passage. 4. In floor area efficiency, the layout adding new passage is inferior to the most effective one, however there is a possibility that more improvement can be achieved by changing the passage configuration.

CFS管理システムへの人工現実感応用に関する基礎研究

Artificial reality is the technology which realizes advanced simulation, tele-existence and virtual product. This technology appears to be useful for effective freight terminal management, such as layout design, location planning, remote control, operation support, training and so on. As the object of the application of this technology we have chosen Container Freight Station (CFS), constructed an artificial reality system on a personal computer, and examined the possibility of the application and problem to be solved. Evaluation results of reality (computer response, presence, interaction and autonomy) and hyperreality of the system shows that it is feasible for constructing the system on a personal computer. In order to realize the system for freight terminal management, accurate vehicle modeling and easy movement of sight line are important.

CFSにおける貨物積付け支援について : パレット積付け方法の標準化について

Many studies have been done on vanning or stuffing to a container or a pallet. The purpose of the optimization of almost all of them is maximization of using capacity. However, the methods or systems these studies proposed have not been used in Container Freight Station (CFS), because they did not consider the characteristics of real work in CFS. So we now proposed the standardization of pallet loading planning as the first step of constructing the support system of cargo loading in order to support the management of loading planning and cargo handling in CFS. And we have been developed pallet loading planning system. The output of loading pattern of this system is different from the pattern by maximization of using capacity, and is similar to surveyed pattern which is actually used in CFS.

CFS貨物のコスト管理 : コンテナ積付費用の分析

In the operation of a container freight station (CFS), it is recently pointed out that a carrier's paying for cargo securing has been increased. Data on containers and their cargoes stuffed were collected last year from a typical CFS in the port of Kobe. This paper describes some statistical aspects of the data concerning cargo securing cost. This study has revealed that-(1) FCL, irregular shaped or over dimension cargoes, which are different from the ordinal CFS (or LCL) cargoes, have been loaded in container vessels via CFS (2) and compel steamship companies to pay much for cargo securing in CFS.