Container Logistics System Research Articles

Assessing Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) container logistics on the Rhine Alpine corridor: A discrete event simulation approach

Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) is pivotal for hinterland freight logistics, connecting numerous inland terminals with major deep-sea ports. Despite its significant advantages in cargo capacity and environmental sustainability, it remains underutilized due to operational inefficiencies, diminishing its competitive edge compared to road and rail transport. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions, yet existing studies often neglect to evaluate these innovations and their interactions within the broader IWT logistics framework and other transport modes.This study bridges these gaps by introducing a comprehensive Discrete Event Simulation (DES) model to capture the dynamic interactions within the IWT logistics system, its interplay with other transport modes, and the potential impact of innovative measures on IWT performance. The model simulates the current container logistics system along the Rhine-Alpine (RALP) corridor, incorporating key elements such as cost-time calculations, transport mode selection, network flow allocation, and the assessment of IWT innovations.The methodological framework and architecture of the DES model are presented, emphasizing verification and validation processes to ensure accuracy and reliability. The model outputs a network-wide analysis of the current IWT logistics system, examining mode split, cost, time, emissions, distance, and the interrelationships among these factors. This analysis serves as a benchmark for evaluating the effects of various innovative strategies on IWT performance.By employing the DES methodology, this research advances the understanding of container IWT logistics, providing critical insights for stakeholders and policymakers. It evaluates the current performance of container IWT in the RALP corridor and identifies opportunities to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of container IWT.

Efficient Container Logistics System Model

Objective – Although there has been much research on containers and yard operations at the port, it has remained a fascinating subject of study on the logistics side because modernity, education, industries, and human behavior have changed and developed all the time. Moreover, they have continued to play significant roles in the international shipping industry and have affected the dependent economy and trade globally. The aims of this study were (1) to study container management systems and (2) to analyze the factors affecting an efficient container yard management system. Methodology – This research is classified as applied research, which consists of field surveys using the case record/report form (CRF) and data gathered through observation. A sample frame of 400 vehicles was chosen for a specific case study of an empty container terminal operation area in Bangkok port. Findings – Performance metrics for container terminal management or yard operations based on truck turnaround time were calculated by applying the Confidence Interval Theory. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program's binary logistic regression method to consider the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The results of the research have been found. The inbound container management system has been better delivered in time than the outbound, which has implemented a total operation within 16.12 minutes. Additionally, some factors have significantly impacted container yard performance, such as activity type, route, container size, distance, and tools. Novelty – This might be incurred by multifarious reasons, such as operational stages, waiting time, data transmission, task and tool allocation, areas, traffic congestion, searching the container in blocks, etc. Type of Paper: Empirical research JEL Classification: E2, E3. Keywords: Empty Container Terminal, Container Yard, Container Management System, Binary logistic regression Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Nopparit, O; Saenchaiyathon, K. (2024). Efficient Container Logistics System Model, J. Bus. Econ. Review, 9(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.35609/jber.2024.9.1(3)

Container Yard Layout Design Problem with an Underground Logistics System

In recent years, underground logistics systems have attracted more and more attention from scholars and are considered to be a promising new green and intelligent transportation mode. This paper proposes a yard design problem considering an underground container logistics system. The structure and workflow of the underground container logistics system are analyzed, and key features are recognized for the yard design problem, such as the container block layout direction, the lane configuration in the yard, and the number of container blocks. We formulate the problem into mathematical models under different scenarios of the key features with the comprehensive objective of maximizing the total throughput and minimizing the total operation cost simultaneously. An improved tabu search algorithm is designed to solve the problem. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can generate a satisfactory layout design solution for a real-size instance. Our research studies different container yard design options for introducing the underground logistics system into port terminals, which provides an important scientific foundation for promoting the application of underground container logistics systems.

Resilience measurement and dynamic optimization of container logistics supply chain under adverse events

Adverse events may cause chaotic phenomena such as uncertain delay, port congestion, and slow turnover efficiency of container ships, making the container logistics supply chain (CLSC) suffer a serious impact. In order to fully describe and model the adverse events, and further adjust and optimize the container logistics system, this study designs a two-stage container logistics supply chain model, mainly including a container pretreatment system (CPS) and a container handling system (CHS). Taking into account the real-time measurement of the overall CLSC resilience and the need to guide the adjustment method, a novel two-dimensional resilience index in terms of affordability and recovery ability is proposed to reveal the inherent resilience performance of the system. By decomposing the resilience index, the interaction mechanism between the internal elements can be further explored. An adaptive fuzzy double-feedback adjustment (AFDA) control structure is designed to optimize the two-stage CLSC system in order to alleviate the influence of adverse events, enhance the response and resilience performance, and stabilize the system as soon as possible. The simulation results show that under the influence of adverse events, the resilience performance and the ability to maintain stability is obviously weakened. Through feedback control of two-stage system responses, the above adverse effects can be effectively alleviated. Compared with other existing optimization strategies, the dynamic optimization method designed in is paper is more conducive to improving the response performance and enhancing the resilience of the system. The rationality and effectiveness are also verified by the simulation results.

Scheduling of Yard Truck Considering Loading and Unloading Simultaneously in an Underground Container Logistics System

With the rapid growth of containers and scarce of land, the underground container logistics system (UCLS) presents a logical alternative for container terminals to better protect the environment and relieve traffic pressure. The operating efficiency of container terminals is one of the competitive edges over other terminals, which requires UCLS to be well integrated with the handling process of the storage yard. In UCLS, yard trucks (YTs) serve different handling points dynamically instead of one fixed handling point, and yard cranes (YCs) perform loading and unloading simultaneously. To minimize the total time of handling all containers in UCLS, the mixed integer programming problem is described and solved using an adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA). The convergence speed and accuracy of AGA are demonstrated by comparison with conventional genetic algorithm (GA). Additionally, AGA and CPLEX are compared with different scale cases. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to CPLEX in resulted solutions and calculation time. A sensitivity analysis is provided to obtain reasonable numbers of YTs for scheduling between handling points and the storage yard in UCLS.

ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CONTAINER TRANSPORTATION MARKET AND WAYS OF ITS DEVELOPMENT ON THE CHINA-UKRAINE-EU ROUTE

Considering the globalization of international market relations, the article deals withthe modern market for international container traffic on the China-Ukraine-EU route. Through myresearch, it has become clear that the international rail container transportation market is evolvingrapidly and the development of railway infrastructure is rapidly becoming a lucrative investment.The potential is evident as demonstrated by the fact that China is considering rail containertransportation as an effective alternative to the traditional transportation methods such as sea- andairfreight intermodal container transportation of goods in the nearest future. There are distinctadvantages to rail container transportation, namely: versatility; mobility; distribution of containerhandling equipment; safety of cargo as well as speed of delivery. The article points out the majorproblems related to container transportation in Ukraine: poor condition of highways; deteriorationof rolling stock and railway infrastructure in general; lack of sufficient quantity and low availabilityof modern equipment at container terminals in Ukraine; a low competitive level of transport service;high level of bureaucracy on the railway and in customs clearance. In a free-market economy and,in particular, during industry restructuring, the author proposes a new approach to organizecontainer transportation in Ukraine and for the Ukrainian railway, which should reduce the costs ofrailway traffic , on the one hand, and make it more attractive to the users, thereby confirming itscompetitive advantages. The author came to the conclusion that, owing to the development of therailway infrastructure, namely the construction of a container logistics system and high-speedrailways on the territory of Ukraine, it is possible to not only reach a competitive level of transitstates on the China-EU route but also to take a preferred position as the most economical and fastest means of transit, obtaining a substantial profit and an incentive for the further development of thetransit potential of our country.

Research and Application on Design of Underground Container Logistics System Based on Autonomous Container Truck

In this paper, a kind of underground passage automated freight transport system based on the autonomous dual-mode container truck is proposed, and the overall structure of the automated freight transport system, the allocation of the transportation equipment, the comprehensive design of underground passage, the comprehensive analysis of transportation organization, the reasonable layout of the freight transport terminal, and the design of connection with the overall operation of the port are studied. Taking the connection passage between the central operation area and the eastern operation area of Yantian Port under planning and construction as an example, this paper expounds the application of the underground automatic freight transport system design method in the underground container logistics system within the port area. Based on the current situation and the long-term planning requirements of Yantian Port, the overall route of the connection passage between the central operation area and the eastern operation area is studied; the dual mode transportation organization model based on the combination of autonomous driving and manned driving is designed, and the manned driving mode shall be adopted within the operation area. In the connecting tunnel, there is the interference-free, fully-enclosed, line-fixed, and no man’s land application scenario, and the autonomous driving mode shall be adopted. The corresponding ground switching area is proposed to match the dual-mode transportation system of the autonomous dual-mode truck; such switching area is composed of the mode switching area, truck storage area, and driver rest and management room. Compared with the traditional tunnels, the autonomous freight transport passage has obvious advantages in saving project cost and improving transport efficiency.

Research on AGV Scheduling of Underground Container Logistics System Based on Time Window

Research on AGV Scheduling of Underground Container Logistics System Based on Time Window

Design and optimization of parking lot in an underground container logistics system

To relieve the ground traffic pressure caused by container trucks in a port, an underground container logistics system (UCLS) between Shanghai Waigaoqiao Terminal and Jiading Northwest Logistics Park is proposed. Furthermore, in order to guarantee the connection between the UCLS and the yard behind the ground terminal, a design of an underground parking lot in the system is also proposed. The underground parking lot is a buffer used for the loading and unloading of underground guided vehicles (UGVs). A mixed integer nonlinear programming model (MNIP) for UGVs and yard cranes in the underground system is formulated to minimize the total cost of UGVs waiting and yard cranes. Then, the optimization model is solved via MATLAB software. With sensitivity analysis, the number of loading and unloading points in the underground parking lot is optimized for the purpose of minimizing the total cost. Finally, a simulation experiment is carried out to obtain the optimal configuration of the number of loading and unloading points and the arrival rate in the UCLS.

A model optimizing the port-hinterland logistics of containers: The case of the Campania region in Southern Italy

This article presents an optimization model for the economic analysis and strategic planning of port-hinterland container logistics systems. The model was employed to investigate the inland multimodal distribution of import/export containers handled at the seaports located in the Campania region of Southern Italy. The loading units can transit through the regional off-dock intermodal and logistic facilities called ‘interports’, as well as through extra-regional locations which have a railway terminal, before reaching the final inland destinations or the seaports. The model mainly aims at highlighting and measuring possible advantages arising both from shifting the seaport exit/entry of containers to regional interports, and from employing intermodal solutions for inland distribution. The programming problem minimizes the sum of all container-related generalized logistic costs throughout the entire multimodal port-hinterland network. The logistic costs include transportation costs (by road and railway), terminal handling and storage costs, customs control costs, in-transit inventory holding costs and container leasing costs. A numerical prototype has been formulated and solved using a high-level programming language for large-scale mathematical optimization problems. The results demonstrate how the competitiveness of the regional container seaport cluster can be boosted by an interport-based extended gateway system with adequate customs facilities and improved railway connections.