Cargo Handling Research Articles

Моделювання процесу митної переробки вантажів при проходженні транспортних засобів через державний кордон України

Developing a model of the customs cargo handling process that allows making sound technological, design, and management decisions, changing input parameters, and carrying out long-term planning based on information on the occupancy of control points, customs zones of the border customs office, customs teams, throughput capacity of checkpoints, technical means of customs control and communication, types of customs regimes, and standardisation of the duration of all components of customs cargo handling. To develop a model of the customs cargo processing process, it is advisable to use systems of parallel information processing and parallel operation of objects, which include, for example, modelling with the help of Petri nets. The model developed on the basis of Petri nets for describing the customs cargo handling process shows that, in addition to being clear and easy to use, it makes it possible to take into account various probabilistic factors. Having developed a mathematical model of customs processing of cargo when vehicles cross the state border, it can be concluded that along with technological operations (time for customs clearance at the internal customs, time for customs procedures at the checkpoint), there are non-productive operations - downtime (time for waiting for customs clearance at the internal customs, time for waiting for customs procedures at the checkpoint), which significantly affect the time of customs border crossing. The mathematical apparatus of Petri nets will allow to study the dynamics of the system under study and its behaviour under different initial conditions. It has been found that the number of customs control and customs clearance officers has the greatest impact on the time of customs processing of goods; By building a mathematical model based on Petri nets, an effect of 1.11% was achieved. As a result of applying the developed mathematical model of the customs cargo processing process, an effect of 42 minutes was obtained.

RESEARCH OF PROCESSING INTERMODAL TRANSPORT UNITS AT THE TERMINAL IN THE "SINGLE WINDOW" CONCEPT

The paper examines operations that take place at the sea container terminal in the context of a unified system of information exchange between participants in intermodal cargo transportation. The study aims to formalize the cargo handling process at the sea container terminal through the temporal logic apparatus, which allows for the distribution of the processes necessary for the cargo lots forwarding formalities at the seaport terminal, according to causal relationships in time. The urgency of the work is explained by the rapid development of containerization and the growing demand for transportation in intermodal transport units from the side of cargo owners. The feasibility of implementing "single window" systems for intermodal transportation is confirmed by the complexity of such transportation systems: the presence of several types of transportation, the requirement of a high degree of integration of transportation participants, and strict time constraints. The practical significance of the presented formalization provides an idea of the cargo handling algorithm, contributes to the qualitative formulation of the task of designing software solutions for information exchange at container terminals that shorten the cargo handling process by simplifying the document flow.

Cargo Handling Equipment and Ports Performance in Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between cargo handling equipment and Ports Performance in Nigeria. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey in its investigation of the variables. Primary source of data was generated through structured questionnaire. The population of the study was 2,416 employees of six ports in Nigeria including Abuja office. The sample size of 344 was determined using the Taro Yamane’s formula for sample size determination. The research instrument was validated through supervisor’s vetting and approval while the reliability of the instrument was achieved by the use of the Cronbach Alpha coefficient with all the items scoring above 0.70. Data generated were analyzed and presented using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Statistics. The tests were carried out at a 95% confidence interval and a 0.05 level of significance. The study findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between cargo handling equipment and Ports Performance in Nigeria. The study recommends that management of ports in Nigeria should seek to have modern cargo handling equipment should be taken as a step toward delivering efficient and timely port capacity. Keyword: Cargo Handling Equipment, Ports Performance, Cargo Turnaround, Vessel Turnaround

Sea Ports of Ukraine during the Russian Agression

Ukraine put the second place in the world by volume of export of all grain crops in aggregate and first in of export sunflower oil. Military russian ships are blocking shipping to Ukrainian ports. Without supplying Ukrainian agricultural products many countries of the world are faced with famine. This article takes the characteristics of seaports in Ukraine, volume, and structure of cargo handling in 2020-2021. Grain and sunflower oil put 42% of export cargo handling. The article analyzes alternative ways of distributing grain by rail, road and inland waterways. Some recommendation for problem solution is described.

Socioeconomic Characteristics and Perspectives on Cargo Handling: A Study of Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Nigeria

This research examines the socioeconomic and cargo handling characteristics of the Tin Can Island Port in Nigeria. The rise in global trade agreements has led to a cargo handling crisis in Nigeria. However, the perspectives of the socioeconomic characteristic have not yet been studied. The sampling method used was simple random sampling, with 100 questionnaires given to all the employees and consumers who use the terminal. However, the study was based on 93 respondents who completed the survey satisfactorily. In addition, it includes in-depth interviews with some of the port-terminal employees, a few customers, and neighborhood residents on the use of intelligent port systems. The data instruments' validity and reliability were checked with a Cronbach alpha reliability test of 0.80-0.89 and found to be accurate for all the parameters. The information was analyzed using descriptive, qualitative, and chi-square statistical methods. The study found that socioeconomic factors, especially the age of the cargo handling staff, impacted the port's capability. The level of port automation and the adoption of intelligent port systems are still relatively low, though remarkable since the reforms. The research shows a significant relationship between the perception of cargo traffic level and change in the cargo handling procedure at Tin Can Island Port. In addition, it reveals a substantial connection between policy adoption and cargo handling improvement at the port.

NEW TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR INCREASING FORKLIFT STABILITY

The forklift is one of the most frequently used work machines in internal transport. It has a whole rangeof advantages compared to similar machines used in cargo handling, first of all, great maneuverability and easyadaptability to changes in the technological process. When talking about disadvantages, there seems to be only one,and that is working at the limit of stability. The concept of stability in a forklift is defined as its ability to avoidtipping over. In most cases, accidents with forklifts are the result of poor handling by the operator, that is, it is asubjective factor. However, large manufacturers of forklifts, such as Kalmar, Toyota, Caterpillar, Linde and others.with new technological solutions on forklifts, they are trying to reduce the possibility of endangering the stabilityand overturning of the forklift. Although there are many such solutions, some of which are still in the realm oftheoretical research, in this work four solutions have been selected and analyzed, which have their own commercialapplication. It should be acknowledged that although there is no research to show the success of these solutions inthe field, through the reduced number of accidents, the stability of the forklift is undoubtedly increased. Although inthe paper, the analyzed solutions are not ranked in order of importance, the opinion of the author of this paper is thatToyota's active stability system is the pinnacle of a technical solution that ensures safe and secure operation. It is atechnology that ensures both static and dynamic stability, that is, it provides assistance both during driving and whenworking with loads at height. Another solution is the use of automatically guided forklifts in internal transport. It is adriverless forklift that autonomously follows a series of pre-determined programmed instructions to performactivities given by a central automatic controller. Moving along the programmed paths, there is no possibility thatthe stability of the forklift is compromised. Although the active stability system and driverless forklifts haveundoubted qualities, the number of such forklifts in Serbia is at the level of a statistical error, probably due to thehigh price compared to classic forklifts. The solution with increasing the dimensions of the forklift is good, butapplicable only for forklifts with a large capacity, which make up 1% of the total number of forklifts. In the end,although the use of special gripping devices is probably the weakest solution, in a technical sense, it is probably alsothe most acceptable because it is not excessively financially demanding.

Energy and Fuel Consumption Minimization for a Plug-In Fuel Cell Electric Cargo Handling Vehicle

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">The port-logistic sector has a crucial role in goods transport, as the 85-90% of international trade is achieved by means of maritime routes. The latest reports from the International Maritime Organization show that the port-logistic related activities are an important source of air pollution, both for the use of large auxiliary power systems on ships, which operate during port stays, as well as for the employment of fossil fueled road vehicles for on-site operations. As a matter of fact, the most important maritime facilities are located nearby urban areas and therefore reduction of the environmental impact in ports becomes of primary importance. Thus, in the pursuit of a greener in-port mobility, a progressive replacement of fossil fuels with cleaner alternatives must be promoted.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">This paper presents the analysis of the performance of a hydrogenfueled plug-in fuel cell/battery hybrid vehicle for cargo-handling in roll-on and roll-off port operations. The powertrain of the proposed vehicle has been designed by the authors in a previous work, based on experimental data acquired during in-port operations for the fossil fuel powered counterpart. An optimized energy management strategy, based on the application of the Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle, is used to assess the maximum energy and hydrogen savings that can be attained with such a powertrain. Results are obtained over different mission profiles, in terms of driving and duty cycles, in order to represent typical port operations and ensure the accomplishment of the defined target missions. Outputs from this study set the basis for the design of an optimization-based real time energy management strategy, to maximize the potential of such vehicles in the view of the replacement of the conventional vehicles for in-port operations.</div></div>

МОДЕЛЬ СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЯ ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ПРОЦЕССА ПРР

In a market economy, the port is a regulatory link in ensuring the process of cargo promotion. Therefore, much attention has always been paid to the study of methods for assessing operational and technological characteristics during cargo handling. The article presents the results of applying the model of improving the technological process in the MatLAB software environment. At the same time, the improvement of cyclic processes and their elements is of great importance.

Volcanic native sulphur pebbles excavated from the near-shore deposits of Hakata Bay, Kyushu, Japan: Their formation, preservation and archaeological significance

Several archives written in Japan, China and Korea during medieval times document markedly elevated demand for native sulphur which was an ingredient of gunpowder and a key resource during times of war in east Asia. According to historic documents, numerous macroscopic sulphur pebbles (up to about 20 mm in diameter) with distinct lemon-yellow color were excavated from the coastal deposits of Hakata Bay, northern Kyushu (Japan). Radiocarbon (14C) dating using high-resolution accelerator mass spectrometry of intercalated charcoal remains indicates deposition during the late 11th to early 12th century CE. The age of these deposits indicates the earliest industrial use of native sulphur in the world. The isotopic composition of the excavated sulphur pebbles is consistent with the values obtained for the native volcanic sulphur from the active geothermal regions within Kyushu. Often and very intimately associated opal-CT, cristobalite/tridymite and tridymite fragments were found with the sulphur pebbles, which reinforce the proposed provenance of high-temperature volcanic fumaroles. A possible mechanism for the long-term preservation of the sulphur pebbles within the sediments is discussed on the basis of the isotopic signatures of the easily oxdizable sulphide-sulphur in the matrix. The reduction of marine sulphates in the brackish pore-waters in association with the decay of organic debris, which act as electron donors for microbial reduction of marine sulphates provides a favorable environment for prolonged reducing conditions. Such conditions limited microbial oxidation of the native sulphur pebbles by sulphur-oxidizing bacteria and fungi. Spillage of the pebbles during cargo handling and their incorporation within the sediments and other debris drifting along the near-shore of Hakata Bay is the most plausible explanation for this unusual occurrence of sulphur pebbles.

Determinants of effective control of accidents in the port of Mombasa, Kenya.

Mombasa port plays a pivotal role in the economic development of East and Central African countries where goods of varying hazards transit the port. The risk of serious accidents is inevitable due dangerous operations involving cranes and handling of hazardous materials. Ports are potential sources of accidents such as spills, explosions, fires, toxic fumes The goal of this study was to evaluate determinants of effective control of accidents in the port of Mombasa. The study employed a descriptive survey research design where structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Random sampling was used to identify 248 study participants from a population of 650 workers. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 at 95% confidence interval. Data was subjected to descriptive tests to determine proportions as well as chi square test and presented using graphs and tables. The rates of occupational accidents in Mombasa port were significantly high with 99.5% of the port workers reporting to have witnessed occurrence of accidents. Accidents reported by port workers include crane failure, chemical spillage, fire accidents and explosions. The main container terminal had recorded the highest number of occupational accidents compared to other terminals. There was a significant association between training on accident hazards and improvement on understanding of accident prevention (X2 = 0.029 P= 0.05 DF = 1). study reveal that training on accident would help reduce occurrence. The determinants of effective control of accidents in the port of Mombasa that were studied included: Safe sytems of work, risk assessment, cargo handling equipment and training.

Main Factors Affecting the Multimodal Transport System

Optimisation of organisation of transportation technological process, in the context of digitalisation and technological progress, is currently an urgent task following its significant impact on efficiency and competitiveness of transportation business. Currently, development of the economic environment requires a significant restructuring of organisational aspect of activity of the transport industry. An efficient transport and logistics process allows us to reduce time associated with cargo handling, cargo delivery, paperwork, etc. Automated storage systems can be mounted at facilities of different area, from largest warehouses of enterprises to compact storage premises. Favourable conditions created so allow to increase attractiveness of the transport industry. Though, the full implementation of information technology requires a systematic and scientific approach to organisation of transportation. Given the trend towards growth in international container transportation, expansion of global distribution networks, as well as development of scheduled transportation systems and the length of routes, which is particularly relevant for Russia, the issue of tracking positioning and controlling over the current state of the cargo becomes an important condition for improving safety and quality of transportation. The objective of the study was to develop a systematic approach to organisation of transportation technological processes for a multimodal transport system based on information technologies. Based on the study of organisation, engineering, technological, infrastructure factors, including those related to transition to electronic document exchange and electronic cargo positioning tracking, the paper offers a basic systematisation of more promising factors. The introduction and use of innovative and effective methods of organising cargo transportation will reduce time required to process cargo transported in a container, and to promptly pass the container through control and supervisory procedures.

Empirical Performance Measurement of Cargo Handling Equipment in Vietnam Container Terminals

Background: Cargo-handling equipment (CHE) plays a vital role in maintaining the efficiency of a highly-worked container terminal. Methods: This study is aimed to analyze the CHEs’ performance, which is conducted based on a contextual application of the overall equipment-effectiveness (OEE) technique and data collected from a field survey in 14 container terminals in Vietnam. Results: The findings reveal that the CHEs are operated incompatibly with their actual capacity due to low performance. Also, the findings clarified the unproductive exploitation of container terminals and low actual terminal throughput since the capacity-designed terminals are currently operating above their actual capacity. Conclusions: The application of the OEE index for groups of CHE equipment is an origin for the impact assessment of the overall performance between the groups of CHEs’ equipment, thereby proposing management tools for supporting the improvement of the CHEs and container terminals’ performance in Vietnam.

Imitation, co-opetition and open innovation in network industries: Cases from ports

The fact that ports are nodes in the wider transport network industry is seldom considered when studying the innovation process. To this end, two sets of innovation cases are studied, and findings are compared to the key characteristics of network industry operation. The two sets were selected to reflect the key areas of importance in port performance: information flow (19 cases concerning Electronic Data Interchange) and cargo handling (7 cases on All-weather terminals). Key factors influencing innovation uptake were identified to be directly related to network industry characteristics, with prevailing strategies being co-opetition (cooperation between competitors) and support to open innovation, including direct imitation. While this is the first attempt to study innovation in ports vis-à-vis network industry characteristics, the importance of introducing standards and supporting collaboration in the sector is already evident.

Review of Cargo Operations on Crude Oil Tankers and Methods/Models Used for Optimisation and Improvement of Safety

Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) are special ships because of their length, breadth, draft, stability stresses and manoeuvrability. Cargo handling is one of the most sensitive operations in terms of safety and oil pollution, as oil is a dangerous cargo to transport. Of particular concern is the potential marine pollution from accidental oil spills. Operational oil spills on crude oil tankers are caused by operations such as loading and unloading, tank cleaning, crude oil washing, ballasting and discharge of oily water overboard. Over the years, advanced equipment, numerous procedures and checklists have made cargo operations safer, but unfortunately have also made ship crews and officers less attentive. Strict control must be maintained throughout the loading, unloading and all other cargo related operations. The main objective of this article is to review the methods and models used to improve the safety of cargo handling operations

Optimisation of Dynamic Loads of Rope Systems of Lifting Mechanisms of Bridge Cranes During Cargo Handling

Relevance. In this study, considerable attention is devoted to the analysis of dynamic loads that occur in the rope systems of lifting mechanisms of overhead cranes during start-up and braking, and the reduction of these loads.Purpose. To identify the magnitude and nature of changes in dynamic loads in the elements of lifting mechanisms of bridge cranes, a comprehensive dynamic analysis of the lifting mechanism of the bridge crane and its elastic elements (rope systems) was performed.Methods. The dynamic analysis of the above mechanisms and systems was performed on well-grounded mathematical models of bridge-type cranes (single- and double-mass).Results. The analysis of the obtained calculations of mathematical models of the mechanism of lifting the load of bridge cranes demonstrated that the dynamic loads applied to the structural elements and drive mechanisms are oscillatory and comparable to static loads. The analysis of the obtained calculations of mathematical models of the mechanism of lifting the load of bridge cranes demonstrated that the dynamic loads applied to the structural elements and drive mechanisms are oscillatory and comparable to static loads. To minimise the integral functionals, the methods of classical calculus of variations, mathematical physics and differential equations were used to model the dynamics of loading processes of rope systems and drives of bridge cranes, and the terminal (initial and final conditions of movement of such systems) were considered, which allowed solving the optimisation problem unambiguouslyThus, to reduce dynamic loads in structural elements (in particular, in ropes) during transients in such lifting mechanisms of bridge cranes, it is proposed to perform optimisation of the modes of movement of their drive mechanisms. An essential place in such optimisation is occupied by the choice of the optimisation criterion. Among such criteria, integral optimisation criteria were used. As such integral optimisation criteria, the RMS values of the current loads in the elastic elements (ropes) of overhead travelling cranes have been used.Conclusions. Such integral criteria are integral functionalities that usually reflect undesirable properties of machines and their mechanisms, thus, they are subject to minimisation

ПРОБЛЕМЫ ПОВЫШЕНИЯ КОНКУРЕНТОСПОСОБНОСТИ МОРСКИХ ТРАНСПОРТНЫХ УЗЛОВ РОССИИ

The article defines the position of Russian sea transport hubs (MTН) in the global volumes of cargo exchanges and cargo handling, as well as the place of the designated stevedoring enterprises in the rating of economic results of economic activity in the local market. The level of competitiveness of domestic sea transport hubs in relation to world parameters is estimated using the method of strategic planning, which uses comparative analysis to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Taking into account the results of the analysis, a set of measures has been developed, including three areas of activity to strengthen the competitiveness of Russian MTН: improving the regulatory and legal regulation of activities; infrastructure development; improvement of management systems.

Security Management Policies and Work Accidents

Abstract Research purpose. The aim of the research is to demonstrate the impacts of an absence of organizational policies and strategies in the field of work security on enterprise competitiveness. The movement of loads in the warehouses of industrial and distribution companies is critical in optimizing the times of availability of products to market. This is an activity that, in the field of management, appears to be simple and not very complex, duly framed by national and international laws. However, when poorly managed, it can express significant costs that affect competitiveness and even significantly affect the operational functioning of companies. Knowing that the safety of cargo handling by different equipment presupposes rules and safety policies at different levels, the present study aims to demonstrate the economic impacts based on a real situation in one of the largest handling equipment companies in Portugal. Design / Methodology / Approach. Given the nature and objectives of the study, which seeks to demonstrate that the work security rules and policies compliance or non-compliance has benefits or costs and affects the competitiveness of economic organizations, the work was developed based on three phases. The first phase focused on direct observation of safety practices in operational activities. After this observation, in a second phase, we proceeded to collect and analyze existing data in the company under study, referring to the number of work accidents recorded in the past. In the last phase, we sought to understand and justify the results with the company’s top management. This last phase provided the understanding of the administrators’ view on the subject and the confrontation with the associated impacts, not only at the financial level but at the level of the company’s operation. Findings. This study made it possible to show the impact (associated costs) on organizational performance and that this reality, unfortunately, is not often part of top management’s concern. As a management issue that is often relegated to middle management, this study demonstrates the frequent failure to comply with safety rules due to the pressure of daily activities, the increased number of accidents with the personnel growing in the company, and that this situation can be enhanced through the low degree of control by the enterprise top management over the existing reality. With this concrete study, it was possible to verify the weak relevance of the topic for the company’s administration and the assumption of the difficulty in regularizing the existing situation. The need to review management practices and models in this field became evident. Originality / Value / Practical implications. The relevance of this study made it possible to point out to the top management administration that, in terms of competitiveness. However, the direct costs of the operation are relevant; there are indirect and opportunity costs, such as accidents or unavailability of equipment, which represent costs that can compromise the competitiveness of the company. This study also had the advantage of providing management with evidence of the existing reality in the company, which tends to be undervalued or go unnoticed in the day-to-day company’s current activities. In addition, it should also be noted that a proposal for an improvement plan for the company’s safety was made available.

ОРГАНІЗАЦІЙНО-ТЕХНОЛОГІЧНІ ЗАСАДИ ВЗАЄМОДІЇ ВИДІВ ТРАНСПОРТУ В СИСТЕМІ МІЖНАРОДНИХ ВАНТАЖНИХ ПЕРЕВЕЗЕНЬ ТА ПРИ ПЕРЕТИНІ МИТНОГО КОРДОНУ УКРАЇНИ

The article considers the nature, specifics, forms and methods of interaction of transport modes in cargo transportation. The role of the main components of cargo transportation system in ensuring the process of interaction of transport modes in international traffic is determined. The main technological operations of multimodal transport terminals are clearly defined. They are grouped by the functions in ensuring the maximum efficiency of main transportation, provision of transportation services, provision of cargo handling services, cargo and transport flows management. A comprehensive analysis of the interaction of transport modes in the system of international transport corridors (ITC) passing through the territory of Ukraine, like: Trans-European Transport Corridor №5 (railway and road section), Trans-European Transport Corridor №9 (railway and road section), ITC Baltic Sea - Black Sea (railway and road section), TRACECA (railway, road, water section), Europe-Asia (railway and road section) was carried out. The priority directions of international transport corridors development are determined. The results of the study of the main technological operations of multimodal transport terminals as key objects of direct transfer of goods from one mode of transport to another are presented. The issues of harmonization of customs activities and common transit procedures with generally accepted norms and standards of European law are studied. The factors that determine the losses of Ukraine’s transit flows through international transport corridors are identified. The important tasks of the plan for the development of Ukraine’s international cargo transportation system are highlighted.

A branch‐and‐cut algorithm for the pickup‐and‐delivery traveling salesman problem with handling costs

AbstractIn the Pickup‐and‐Delivery Traveling Salesman Problem with Handling Costs (PDTSPH), a single vehicle has to satisfy multiple customer requests, each defined by a pickup location and a delivery location. Cargo handling is performed at the rear end of the vehicle, in a Last‐In‐First‐Out (LIFO) order for PDTSPH. However, additional handling operations are permitted with a penalty if other loads that block the access to the delivery have to be unloaded and reloaded. The objective of PDTSPH is to minimize the total transportation and handling cost. In this paper, we present a new Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) model and a branch‐and‐cut algorithm to solve PDTSPH. We also present new integral separation procedures to effectively handle the exponential number of constraints in our MIP model. A family of inequalities are introduced to enhance the scalability of our implementation. The performance of our approach is compared with a compact formulation from the literature (Veenstra et al. [21]) in instances ranging from 9 to 21 customer requests. Computational results show our algorithm outperforming the compact formulation in 69% of instances with an average runtime improvement of 57%.

Analysing the Effects of Weather Conditions on Container Terminal Operations Using Machine Learning

Container ships transport a large number of valuable cargoes, and there is a demand for less expensive and faster transportation options. Weather, vessel type, and the nature and amount of the goods are all external elements that might impact container handling times, which are directly related to overall port stay time. In this scope, container terminal operations could be optimised with the help of historical data which provides access to classification and prediction of the cargo handling operations. In this study, the real-time data of a container terminal operation is analysed with different machine learning techniques along with the Fuzzy C-Means clustering method. The results show that Fuzzy C-Means clustering has a positive impact on the explanatory power of models in container terminal operations. The research revealed that an increase in wind speed influences cargo handling time for mobile cranes.