Performance Of Container Terminals Research Articles

Container Terminal Performance: System Dynamic Approach with Port Capacity Constraints and ESG Integration

Container Terminal Performance: System Dynamic Approach with Port Capacity Constraints and ESG Integration

EVALUATION OF CONTAINER TERMINAL SYSTEM PERFORMANCE IN TANJUNG PERAK SURABAYA PORT IN INCREASING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION USING BINARY LOGISTICS REGRESSION

In this sophisticated era, we can do almost anything, and we can get it easily. No exception with the necessities of life that we can get easily from one place and sent to us via transportation services, even goods with a large capacity. One of the transportation services that can efficiently deliver goods in large quantities is sea transportation via ships with a shipping system using containers. Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya is one of the ports that provides container loading and unloading services. For this reason, in this study an evaluation of the performance of container terminals at the Port of Tanjung Perak Surabaya will be carried out by looking at the factors that influence customer satisfaction (Y), which consist of several predictor variables, namely price of goods (X1), weight of goods (X2) and Travel Time (X3) using the binary logistic regression method, which is a method used to model the response variable consisting of two categories and is appropriate for modeling data consisting of possible events with response variables consisting of two choice categories. Logistic regression will form a predictor/response variable, which is a linear combination of the independent variables. In this study, modeling was carried out to determine the relationship between whether the predictor variable affects the response variable and the extent to which this variable influences it. After knowing the variables that contribute to customer satisfaction, these variables can then be used as evaluation material, whether they need to be increased or reduced. Based on the results of the study, it was found that the variable weight of goods (X2) has a significant influence on customer satisfaction with a classification accuracy of 88.1%, so it must be optimized related to the container capacity that contains customer goods because, if this variable increases by 1 unit, it will increase the probability of customer satisfaction is 1.792 times and this increase is higher than the other variables.

Technical Efficiency of Container Terminal Operations in Southwestern Seaport in Nigeria

Containerization plays a crucial role in international trade. It promotes the oceanic business, generally pertinent to container terminals. Despite the various benefits of the container terminal to maritime trade and the economic development of nations with seaports, Nigerian ports are suffering from a progressive decline compared to other thriving ports in other parts of the globe. Hence, this study evaluates the technical efficiency of container terminal operations in southwestern seaport in Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for this study in which Multi-stage sampling technique was used. Both primary and secondary data were collected from the annual report and questionnaire respectively from staff of the container terminal operators in Tincan Island Port Complex and Apapa Port Complex. The result from the findings showed that four factors influenced container terminal capacity and port performance. These include port charges, stevedoring operations, unserviceable cranes and ship calls. Also, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) findings showed that AP Moller Terminal, PCHS, and PTML have a crste, vrste, and scale efficiency of 1, indicating they are fully technically efficient under both constant and variable returns to scale. It was concluded that AP Moller Terminal, PCHS and PTML are the most efficient terminal in South-Western Ports in Nigeria. It was recommended that periodic training and retraining of staff handling modern equipment should be prioritized and also, increase in port charges by the terminal operators should be addressed to encourage freight forwarders to clear their cargo on time at the port.

The impact of contemporary socio-economic and technological factors on container terminal performance

PurposeThis present study uses political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental (PESTLE) analysis and the strategic management theory to examine how external factors, namely the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the industrial revolution (IR) 4.0 technologies, the fuel price crisis and Sultanate of Oman Logistics Strategy (SOLS) 2040, affect the performance of container terminals in Oman.Design/methodology/approachA hybrid decision-making method that combined the analytical hierarchy process technique and Bayesian network model was used to achieve the objective of the present study.FindingsThe COVID-19 pandemic (54.60%) most significantly affected the performance of container terminals in Oman, followed by IR 4.0 technologies (19.66%), SOLS (17.00%) and fuel price crisis (8.74%). Container terminals in Oman were also found to perform “moderately,” considering the uncertainty of external factors.Research limitations/implicationsThis study enriches existing literature by using PESTLE analysis to assess the impact of the external business environment on firm performance in the context of the maritime industry as well as highlights how challenging external environmental factors affect the performance of container terminals in Oman.Originality/valueThis study contributes to developing novel study models and determining the performance level of container terminals in Oman considering integrated uncertainties and external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, IR 4.0 technologies, the SOLS 2040 and the fuel price crisis.

A model for investigating the coordination between low carbon and resilience performance in container terminals

In the process of coping with climate change and sustainable development, it is necessary for container terminals to coordinate the relationship between the long-term demand for low carbon and the short-term demand for resilience. However, low carbon or resilience performance of container terminals only has been separately investigated. Under such a circumstance, understanding the low carbon and resilience levels of container terminals, and the coupling relationship between the two dimensions are of primary importance. To realize this purpose, this paper for the first time bridges low carbon and resilience that used to be considered in isolation. By considering the impact of ports and cities on the resilience of container terminals, and subdividing carbon emission sources to assess low carbon, the proposed index system can quantify resilience and low carbon more comprehensively and accurately. Then, the factor analysis and coupling coordination degree models are adopted to determine the weights and analyze the coordination between low carbon and resilience performance. The results indicated that the coupling coordination degree of low carbon and resilience performance in Chinese container terminals is slightly coordinated, but the development of resilience lags behind that of low carbon. To improve the coupling coordination degree, it is important for container terminals to set appropriate development objectives based on the evaluation of low carbon and resilience performance, and choose suitable improvement strategies based on the characteristics of container terminals.

Effect of Port Infrastructure on Performance of Eastern Nigerian Ports (2000-2022)

This study examined the effect of port infrastructure on performance of Eastern Nigerian port (2000-2020). Port infrastructure is both the independent (predictor) variable as well as the dimension of the study. Also, performance of Eastern Nigerian ports serves as the key dependent variable or criterion variable under which the measures such as cargo throughputs and vessel turnaround time have been appraised. The population of the study consisted of 1527 staff of the four Eastern Nigerian ports. The study sampled 317 respondents out of which 302 of them were found useful and valid for the study analysis. The study collected data with the help of a structured questionnaire through Monkey Survey. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse data in the study. The study also, used Pearson Products Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) to test the hypotheses with the aid of SPSS 22.0. The reliability of the research instrument was tested using the Cronbach alpha to ascertain the reliability of the instrument which was 0.869 far above the 0.70 threshold. The study found that port infrastructures are veritable assets for achieving container terminal performance in Eastern Nigerian ports. The study also revealed that the quality of interaction of staff with customers enhances container terminal performance and that prompt, effective and efficient port services, offers real opportunities to optimize container terminal performance in Eastern ports. The study found that there is no political will on the part of government to provide enough infrastructure for the smooth running of the ports. The study also revealed that the quality and quantity of infrastructures in the port are good indicators to elicit efficient operational services and influence vessel throughputs. Conclusively, port infrastructure has a positive and significant relationship with cargo throughputs in Eastern, port infrastructure has a positive and significant relationship with vessel turnaround time in Eastern Nigerian ports Therefore, port management should make haste to ensure that all impediments to the provision of port infrastructures that would guarantee the optimization of cargo throughputs in ports are removed. Government of Nigeria needs to engage in huge investments to expand the port infrastructures such as roads, adequate berthing facilities, wharves, yard capacity, quayside, railway, as well as expand the hinterland road network. These port infrastructures are the key stimuli for vessel turnaround time, effectiveness and efficiency in the port.

Operational performance model for Indian container terminals using qualitative comparative analysis

Trend forecasting shows that Indian container terminals will handle 25 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by 2025. However, improving operational performance is the best strategy to achieve this target. Many factors have adversely affected the Indian container terminal's operational performance despite the fact that the Indian government has undertaken several initiatives. This study identifies factors and interactive effects of the factors influencing the operational performance of Indian container terminals. A conceptual model is developed using fuzzy qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) encompassing the successful factors. The conceptual model developed through QCA includes the physical characteristics, driving factors, and challenges. This study reveals the combined and individual effects of the identified factors. The results show that the most common factors are the quay infrastructure, yard infrastructure, infrastructure up-gradation, system initiatives, reefer systems, and logistics advantage. This study adds to the existing literature regarding the Indian container terminals' performance and supports the decision-makers in improving the operational performance of container terminals.

Examining the Efficiency of Automation in Container Terminals

An increase in container traffic, larger tonnage of vessels, scarcity of port area, and shorter turnaround times have driven terminals to process more containers in less time and less space. Thereby, the increasing focus on costs, safety, and environmental control is forcing terminal operators to search for innovative solutions. Automated container terminals are the potential candidates to improve the performance of container terminals and represent a challenge to any subsequent future fluctuations in maritime transport. In this study, we examine the improvement in the performance of container ports by adopting automation through simulation modeling. The effect of the automated guided vehicles and automatic stacking cranes-based automatic container terminal system (AGV-ACT/Automated Guided Vehicles - Automatic Container Terminal system) on container handling operations was evaluated. To create a complete port simulation model, the main objects of the container terminal such as tugboats, berths, quay cranes, stacking blocks, stacking cranes, horizontal transport vehicles, external trucks, and the layout of the terminal are simulated as a whole. Firstly, we created a model representing the existing port to evaluate the overall performance of the port and to validate the simulation model by comparing the actual data with those of the real system. Then, a simulation model for the proposed automatic system was created and evaluated. The simulation model was divided into four main logics: ships arrival and berth allocation, ship loading/unloading, external trucks arrival, and containers storage/retrieval logic. The results of the two systems were compared based on the performance criteria such as ship turnaround time, external trucks turnaround time, and equipment utilization rate. Automation has reduced the turnaround time of the ships and provided a smooth movement for the equipment which showed a high utilization rate. The automated system decreased the ship turnaround time from 9.52 hours to 7.81 hours (18%). The reduction in the waiting times of the container transport vehicles for quay cranes reached 47% and 30% in berths 1 and 2, respectively. On the other hand, external trucks’ turnaround time increased by 124% as only one ASC (Automatic Stacking Crane) is run in each block to perform both seaside and landside operations (seaside operations were prioritized). Automation has improved the overall performance of the terminal. Also, the layout of the automated handling system raised the storage capacity of the port. In the new proposed automated layout, the storage area capacity increased by 27.27%.

Performance assessment of seaport container terminals of India using data envelopment analysis

This study provides a systematic investigation of the performance of India's seaport container terminals. The aim of this study is to assess the terminals' performance by evaluating their relative efficiencies using data envelopment analysis along with the window analysis for the sensitivity of the results. Our analysis identifies efficient and inefficient terminals and evaluates their efficiency over time. We find that landlord-operated terminals managed by major ports located on the western coast are better performing than private terminals managed by minor ports on the eastern coast. However, two landlord-operated terminals of major ports on the eastern coast are found to be the most efficient. Our study suggests the scope of improvement for the inefficient terminals and concludes with managerial insights for maritime transport stakeholders.

Probabilistic analysis of the sustainable performance of container terminals

Since port activity is essential for countless supply chains, its operational efficiency is a relevant research topic for logistics and transport management. In order to be able to analyze, measure and improve its performance, it is necessary to establish evaluation criteria that take into account not only economic aspects, but also society and the environment. However, this type of evaluation generally uses deterministic data for the performance indicators, distorting the real result of its values and hindering adequate decision-making. Thus, this research aims to propose a probabilistic analysis of container terminals' sustainable performance, taking into account uncertainties that the indicators' values can assume. Methodologically, the study was supported by secondary data collection in nine container terminals, followed by a Gray Relational Analysis and Monte Carlo Simulation. With respect to the case study, it is observed that the indicator “number of jobs generated” is the one that most penalized the sustainable performance of the analyzed terminals, whereas, antagonistically, the “net revenue” had little influence on the sustainability indexes. Also noteworthy is that the generation of performance probability curves for each terminal promoted a more appropriate analysis for decision-making at the corporate and governmental levels.

Improvement of Container Terminal Productivity with Knowledge about Future Transport Modes: A Theoretical Agent-Based Modelling Approach

Despite all the achievements in improving container terminal performance in terms of equipment and container stacking systems (CSS), terminal operators are still facing several challenges. One of these challenges is the lack of information about further transportation modes of the container, which leads to extra movements of the container inside the stacking area. Hence, we aimed to examine factors that affect container handling processes and to evaluate a container terminal’s overall equipment effectiveness. This study used data from a container terminal at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. An agent-based model was developed based on a block-stacking strategy to investigate two scenarios: (1) having information about further transportation modes and (2) a base scenario. The Overall Equipment Effectiveness Index (OEE) was also adopted to evaluate the container terminal’s effectiveness in both scenarios. Results showed that having information on further transportation mode significantly increased the container outflow, and the OEE index improved compared to the base scenario’s results. Therefore, we recommend an integrated data-sharing system where all the stakeholders can share their information with no fear of losing their market share.

A Grounded Theory Approach in the Identification of Enabling and Inhibiting Factors Affecting the Performance of Container Terminals

A Grounded Theory Approach in the Identification of Enabling and Inhibiting Factors Affecting the Performance of Container Terminals

Enhancing Egyptian container terminals performance through managing efficiency and competitiveness

PurposeThe importance of container transportation has increased due to the globalization of the world economy. The purpose of this research is at proposing a framework to enhance the container terminals performance through evaluating efficiency and competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers used data envelopment analysis to assess the efficiency and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to measure competitiveness of container terminals. The proposed framework captures key performance indicators to evaluate the container terminals' performance and identify areas that need improvement. It was applied to the Egyptian container terminals from the period of 2015–2019 as an empirical study.FindingsFindings highlights the highest utilization of resources of Alexandria port while more attention should be given to the level of service provided. On the other hand, El-Sokhna should focus on more utilization of the available resources. The performance evaluation showed that the rest of Egyptian terminal ports should improve both competitiveness and efficiency at different levels based on their performance ranking.Research limitations/implicationsThe developed framework can be used as an evaluation tool to evaluate the performance of container terminals in other countries, and can be utilized as a performance benchmark tool to compare the performance of container terminals of competing ports.Practical implicationsThe developed framework can help policymakers to assess efficiency and competitiveness based on both quantitative data and experts' judgement in order to help in formulating government logistics strategy.Originality/valueThe research provides a comprehensive framework to measure and evaluate competitiveness and efficiency of container terminals based on both quantitative data and experts' judgement.

Development of a multidimensional performance evaluation model for container terminals at Marmara Sea

The continuous success of container terminals in a highly competitive environment depends on their ability to compendiously evaluate their activities and to produce effective solutions for the required areas. At this point, there is a need for a comprehensive performance measurement model where terminal activities can be evaluated in a multifaceted way. In particular, given the high throughput volume of the Marmara Sea terminals, there is a lack of a specific model for this region. This study aims to address this deficiency by developing a holistic multi-dimensional framework, Container Terminal Performance Evaluation Method (CTPEM). The theoretical roots of this study go through a three-pillar structure formed by Transaction Cost Economies, Resource-Based View, and Corporate Social Responsibility Theory and consider the opinions of industry professionals. Analytical Network Process, which takes into account the interdependencies among dimensions, is incorporated into the CTPEM model to highlight the priorities of performance dimensions. Results show that Logistics & Operational dimension is the first with 33.7%, Corporate Social dimension is remarkably the second with 31.2% overtaking Financial dimension with 26.7%, which is an exceptional case. The environmental dimension with a concern is given a short shrift with 8.3.

Performance of the Semarang Container Terminal

The number of container boxes handled at the container terminal dynamically fluctuates as a function of a number of parameters. The most prominent variables influencing are the Economics’ National Program, the location and trading characteristics of the terminal, and the land use programs of hinterlands. Further, it is one terminal could serve more than one quay simultaneously. This research was conducted in order to determine the optimal performance of container terminals, along with the utilities to the increase in container terminal services Semarang. The results are expected to reveal the existing problems related to the services of a container terminal, especially regarding the following matters: review and develop performance indicators container terminals that is optimized especially for Semarang container terminal (TPKS), knowing the performance level of the container terminal at TPKS utility, and knowing the number of containers optimal service units, ranging from dock to yard container based on the rate of arrival of containers in TPKS. The research methodology used in this study is as follows: conducting a literature study/library, in order to obtain an overview of problems faced by the Semarang container terminal (TPKS), data collection related to the performance of container terminal, processing and analyzing research data to obtain a technical description of the various parameters needed in evaluating the Container Terminal Performance Indicators, Optimal Value of the service unit loading and unloading containers, ships and goods flow forecasting, producing Container Terminal Performance Indicators, formulate conclusions and recommendations from the results obtained in the performance evaluation process and service optimization Container Terminal loading and unloading of containers. The container terminal performance is an important indicator to evaluate the operational continuity and smoothness, in fulfilling its major function in serving the transportation mechanism of goods. One method to evaluate the container terminal performance is to observe the service level and utility of this terminal. From the evaluation’s results, a program to improve and to enhance the service levels for the future could be designed. The methodological approach accessed in this research work includes BOR (Berth Occupancy Ratio) data collecting, data processing and analysis using multiple methods, and producing a conclusion. The results are also to typical research topics. The study yielded in a BOR for the period till 2015 based on a BOR mooring of 34 - 45 percent. The benefits of this research can be used to improve container terminal performance.

A DEA-ANN framework based in Improved Grey Wolf Algorithm to evaluate the performance of container terminal.

Managing the performance of port container terminals is one of the major challenges in the supply chain management. In response to this challenge, we propose a new framework to assess managers in evaluating the global performance of operations in port container terminals. The new framework integrates the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The DEA is used to compute the efficient score of the system. In ANN, we use the improved grey wolf optimizer based on Levy’s flights to improve learning. In order to prove the efficiency of our model, we apply the framework in 2 ports container terminal: Tangier Med Port and Casablanca Port. The result is compared to standard algorithms and outperforms the cited algorithm in order to avoid local minima. The new trainer improved grey wolf optimizer is also evaluated using four known classification datasets and on three approximation functions datasets.

Impact of megaships on the performance of port container terminals

Following the advent of megaships, the performance requirements of container terminals have increased significantly, highlighting necessary changes in their layout, infrastructure, and equipment. We focus on the impact of megaships on a terminal within the port network of the Italian Region of Liguria, in terms of its ability to manage the flow of imports from arrival to inland destinations. We use discrete event simulation techniques to analyze the operations of a terminal and evaluate the relevant performance indices in different scenarios, which vary as a function of the “call size” of the larger containerships. The possibility of guaranteeing a more balanced modal split (favoring rail transport) for the inland distribution of containers is also evaluated. Dwell times at the yard and turnaround times at the berth are considered, with the objective of achieving a modal split of inland transport consisting of no less than 40% rail. Our results show that this objective can be achieved if a higher dwell time for outgoing containers is allowed.

Improving the Performance of Dry and Maritime Ports by Increasing Knowledge about the Most Relevant Functionalities of the Terminal Operating System (TOS)

Maritime transport in the European Union has increased in the last years, triggering congestion in many of the most important sea and river ports. A lot of works have highlighted how the connection between these ports and dry ports can contribute to reducing port congestion and emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). This work aims to improve the knowledge about the functionalities of Terminal Operating Systems (TOSs) managing container terminals of sea, river, and dry ports, with the aim of improving their performance and contributing to reducing congestion and GHG emissions to achieve a higher sustainability. The contribution and novelty of this paper in the field of container-terminals logistics research is the use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify and hierarchize TOS functionalities. The robustness of the model was checked by applying a sensitivity analysis. One hundred and seven functionalities were grouped into six main clusters: Warehouse, Maritime Operations, Gate, Master Data, Communications, and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Dashboard. The results show that time tracking of vessels, space optimization, development of loading and unloading lists, and optimization of container locations are the most important functionalities of a TOS. This work is addressed to developers, sellers, managers, and users of TOSs and researchers working on container-terminal performance.

Service Quality Evaluation of Container Terminals through AHM and Membership Degree Transformation

Abstract In today’s competitive world, it is important to determine the relative importance of attributes that have an effect on the service quality to improve the business performance. As Container terminals plays major role in national economy, the study focuses on the evaluation of container terminal service quality. The five main attributes considered in measuring service quality of container terminals are Container terminal Assurance, Empathy, Responsiveness, Reliability and Tangibles. In this paper, Relative weights of each criteria and sub-criteria are determined by using AHM and overall performance of container terminals is also evaluatedby M (1, 2, 3)Degree transformation.

Berth Scheduling Problem Considering Traffic Limitations in the Navigation Channel

In view of the trend of upsizing ships, the physical limitations of natural waterways, huge expenses, and unsustainable environmental impact of channel widening, this paper aims to provide a cost-efficient but applicable solution to improve the operational performance of container terminals that are enduring inefficiency caused by channel traffic limitations. We propose a novel berth scheduling problem considering the traffic limitations in the navigation channel, which appears in many cases including insufficient channel width, bad weather, poor visibility, channel accidents, maintenance dredging of the navigation channel, large vessels passing through the channel, and so on. To optimally utilize the berth and improve the service quality for customers, we propose a mixed-integer linear programming model to formulate the berth scheduling problem under the one-way ship traffic rule in the navigation channel. Furthermore, we develop a more generalized model which can cope with hybrid traffic in the navigation channel including one-way traffic, two-way traffic, and temporary closure of the navigation channel. For large-scale problems, a hybrid simulated annealing algorithm, which employs a problem-specific heuristic, is presented to reduce the computational time. Computational experiments are performed to evaluate the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed method.