Container Terminal Production Research Articles

A Simulated Annealing Algorithm for Quay Crane Scheduling and Assignment Problem Under Uncertain Conditions

In this paper, a mixed integer programming (MIP) mathematical model was formulated for the quay crane scheduling and assignment problem (QCSAP) in container terminals with the aim of minimizing the total cost of activities. With the assumption that due to the uncertain nature of the ship’s activities and operations, we have considered most of the parameters of the problem to be indeterminate in order to bring the optimal solution closer to the real world. In this paper, the uncertain nature of the parameters was investigated by using uncertainty theory and in the form of indeterminate quantities. These uncertainties might be subject to the conditions, such as the failure of cranes, container terminal transportation means, congestion in the dockyard, adverse weather conditions, etc. Further, considering the large dimensions of such real problems and the complexity of solving them in terms of processing time, the simulated annealing (SA) meta-heuristic optimization algorithm was utilized to solve the above model. The proposed algorithm has been coded by MATLAB software and its efficiency was put on test by comparing its results for a low-dimensional problem with the accurate solution from GAMS software is compared in terms of computational times for small sizes. The proposed algorithm exhibited promising potentials for quick approximation of usable solutions to high-dimensional QCSAPs. The calculations show that, nondeterministic model with the help of the above proposed algorithm can be one of the basic factors in increasing the productivity of container terminals and the main purpose and advantage of this research is compared to the basic model presented by Tavakkoli-Moghaddam et al. in 2009 which has been analyzed and investigated with definitive data and optimized with the help of genetic algorithm. In addition, some restrictions were added to the basic model in order to make the above crane assignment scheduling problem more practical.

Research on the effect of number of yard trucks on container terminal throughput

Container terminal productivity is a benchmark for the level of effectiveness of a container port. One indicator of container terminal productivity level can be calculated through yard throughput. Several factors affect yard throughput, one of which is the number of truck terminals. This study aims to investigate the effect of the number of truck terminals on yard throughput at a container terminal. The investigation was conducted using a container terminal simulation which was based on the discrete event simulation method. As a case study, a simulation of a container terminal with a dock length of 300 m with several quay cranes was two units. The simulation was done by parameters adding the number of truck terminals and variations in the capacity of ships coming. The results of the simulation show that an increase in the number of truck terminals affects the number of outputs, depending on the size of the loading and unloading vessels. From the simulation results obtained, the largest yard throughput capacity of 809 containers with the number of truck terminals is 8 units on a shipload of 1,000 twenty-foot equivalent units. The results of this study provide an overview of the needs of the truck terminal in the container terminal. Highlights The yard throughput of the container terminal has been investigated by a simulation model built based on a discrete event simulation The discrete event simulation has obtained the effect of increasing the number of truck terminals on the yard throughputs with container capacity variations from 200 - 1,000 TEUs The increase in speed at the truck terminal is insignificant to increase yard throughput and necessary to do integrated scheduling between the truck terminals, quay cranes, and gantry cranes The increase in the quay crane operation in container terminals will decrease the dwell time of container throughput

Operational Effect on the Increase of Quay Cranes to Reduce Dwelling Time at the Container Terminal

Currently, the container terminal is growing rapidly and is the entrance to world trade. Terminal productivity is one of the keys to superior service. One indicator of container terminal productivity is dwelling time. In developing countries, among the causes of high dwelling time is the lack of container handling equipment. This paper aims to study the effect of the number of quay cranes on the number of dwelling time. The investigation was carried out using a container terminal simulation. As a case study, a simulation of a container terminal with a berth length of 300 meters with average daily ship calls is 600 TEUs. The simulation is done by making the parameters of adding quay cranes to each case. The results of the simulation show the addition of a quay crane can reduce the number of dwelling time average by 0.1 days, this decrease depends on the container capacity of the ship. The results of this study provide an overview of the container terminal in port infrastructure planning.

A comparative study of the productivity and operational efficiency of container terminals of major Indian ports and Srilankan port using DEA (Malmquist index)

The purpose of this study is to compare the operational and technical efficiency of four Indian and one Srilankan Port, comprising of 13 Indian container terminals and 5 Srilankan container terminals. The relative efficiencies of these 18 terminals were analysed over a period of the last six years, starting from FY2013-2014 through FY2018-2019, by comparing the micro level factors contributing to the efficiency of ports. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) using Malmquist index was the methodology chosen for analysis. The study analysed the operational efficiency of the container terminals using a few factors like number of berths, depth of berths, quay cranes, goods handled in each terminal, yard size of container terminal, number of ships handled per container terminal, workforce deployed at each container terminal, and throughput of the terminals. The results exposed the fact that terminal efficiency was largely dependent on the technological changes.

Evaluation Analysis of the Operational Efficiency and Total Factor Productivity of Container Terminals in China

As crucial international trade and global logistics players, container terminals worldwide handle more than 80% of the global merchandise trade. After analyzing and summarizing the previous studies, we use container terminal companies as the research object to fill the gap left by previous studies. Based on the above research status, this study analyzes the operational efficiency and total factor productivity of 32 container terminal companies in China using the super -efficiency DEA–SBM model and the Malmquist index method. The results show that (1) the operational efficiency level of 32 container terminals in China from 2017 to 2020 has a huge gap, and 15 container terminal companies have operational efficiency below 0.6, which indicates that most container terminals have excess inputs and a waste of resources. (2) The container terminals in the Bohai Rim, Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta regions have higher operational efficiency. This shows that the development of container terminals cannot be separated from the economic hinterland of the cities where the ports are located. (3) The Malmquist index analysis shows a 2.8% decrease in total factor productivity, a 3.2% increase in the composite technical efficiency index and a 5.8% decrease in the technological progress index, which indicates that most container terminal companies have imperfect management practices and decision making. Based on the study’s results, this research provides relevant and feasible recommendations for policymakers who formulate policies for the development of the shipping industry to promote high quality and sustainable development of the shipping industry and the economy.

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 methodological framework to allocate storage space for outbound containers

The staking of containers on ideal locations within the yard is a tactical decision that affects the productivity of container terminals. The goal is to improve posterior loading and retrieval operations, to get better use of terminal resources. In this paper, we study how to allocate storage space for outbound containers in container terminals. A two-phase methodological framework is proposed. The first phase groups outbound containers into clusters of similar operational loading conditions. Then in a second phase, a bi-objective storage space assignment model is solved to determine the set of block-bays where groups of similar containers will be stored during the planning horizon. This study presents a double contribution. On one hand, it proposes a new methodological framework that combines operations research and data mining techniques to solve a storage space assignment problem for outbound containers. On the other hand, it analyzes the impact of three factors on four performance metrics used to evaluate the quality and quantity of alternative solutions to the problem of allocation of storage space for outbound containers. The experimental framework is composed of an experimental design study to assess the impact of three factors on four performance metrics used to assess the quality of the storage space assignment solutions, and a case study to validate the proposed approach. The experimental results reveal that the storage yard's capacity and the number of clusters used to group the containers destined to a vessel are the main factors that affect the number and quality of alternative solutions.

Simulation-based emission calculation method for container terminal production operation system

The emission calculation method based on actual energy data and mathematical analytical models have the disadvantages of time-consuming and high cost, and therefore it is necessary to study a system simulation-based method for calculating the emissions of container terminal production operation systems. This paper develops a simulation model of container terminal production operation systems based on the Arena simulation platform. Emission calculation formulas are embedded into the simulation model, which can calculate and output the energy consumption and emissions of ships and handling equipment. To validate the system simulation-based emission calculation method, a container terminal is taken as the research object and a series of simulation experiments are conducted. The main results show that (1) NOx is the main air pollutant and the CO2 and NOx emissions mainly come from ships, which are 90.7% and 80.4%, respectively, and (2) CO2 and NOx emissions during navigation of ships in the waterway are the main part of ship emissions and account for 60.7% and 53.9%, respectively.

A Comparative study of the Productivity and Operational Efficiency of Container Terminals of Major Indian Ports and Sri Lankan Ports using DEA[Malmquist Index

A Comparative study of the Productivity and Operational Efficiency of Container Terminals of Major Indian Ports and Sri Lankan Ports using DEA[Malmquist Index

Efficiency and productivity of container terminals in Brazilian ports (2008–2017)

After the economic recession in which Brazil was immersed during the years 2015 and 2016, signs of recovery are perceived through port activity. The objective of this research is to analyze the efficiency and productivity of 20 container terminals in Brazilian ports for the 2008 to 2017 period. The methodology used is stochastic frontier analysis and operational port indicators including variables such as the frequency of calls. The most significant findings obtained from the efficiency analysis reveal that private terminal operators are more efficient. The average technical efficiency level was 0.66 in 2008 and in the last year 0.51.

Dynamic rolling strategy for multi-vessel quay crane scheduling

This paper focuses on the container loading and unloading problem with dynamic ship arrival times. Using a determined berth plan, in combination with the reality of a container terminal production scheduling environment, this paper proposes a scheduling method for quay cranes that can be used for multiple vessels in a container terminal, based on a dynamic rolling-horizon strategy. The goal of this method is to minimize the operation time of all ships at port and obtain operation equilibrium of quay cranes by establishing a mathematical model and using a genetic algorithm to solve the model. Numerical simulations are applied to calculate the optimal loading and unloading order and the completion time of container tasks on a ship. By comparing this result with the traditional method of quay crane loading and unloading, the paper verifies that the quay crane scheduling method for multiple vessels based on a dynamic rolling-horizon strategy can provide a positive contribution to improve the efficiency of container terminal quay crane loading and unloading and reduce resource wastage.

Análise de desempenho operacional em terminais de contêineres brasileiros

Resumo Com o grande crescimento nas últimas décadas da movimentação de cargas por contêineres, os terminais de contêineres vem contribuindo, de forma significativa, na cadeia logística nacional e internacional. Como forma de aumentarem sua produtividade, esses terminais precisam conhecer seu potencial de captação de mercadorias e suas limitações. Esse estudo teve como objetivo observar as tendências de crescimento ou redução na produtividade de terminais de contêineres brasileiros, ao longo de determinado período de tempo. O período analisado foi de 2004 a 2011. Para tal, utilizou-se um modelo DEA conhecido como Modelo de Janelas. Para Análise de Janelas foi utilizado escore estimado a partir do modelo BCC com orientação para produto. Para o período analisado, o terminal TECON Santos foi o único que se manteve eficiente ao longo de todo o período. Os terminais CONVICON (PA), Libra-Rio, Libra Santos (SP) e Tecon Rio Grande (RS) se mostraram eficientes na movimentação de contêineres em parte desse período.

Productividad total de los factores en las terminales de contenedores en los puertos de México: una medición a través del índice Malmquist

This paper presents an analysis of change in the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) of container terminals in major ports in Mexico in the period 1982-2010. For this, we propose Malmquist Index, which decomposing the change in productivity in two factors: Change in efficiency (catch-up effect) and technological change (shift frontier). The results show that in general there was an increase in productivity over the period analyzed, which is explained by technological change; Manzanillo was the port that had higher growth in productivity, and opposite Tuxpan was the one who had the greatest reduction, it was due mainly for the negative trend in traffic mobilized during containers. These results show the need to develop public policies for ports to operate at maximum capacity.

Optimizing the Operational Process at Container Terminal

This paper presents a general study of different elements that comprise the operation process for working a maritime container terminal, defining the operation ratios concerned and the interactions between them; similarly, the parameters that affect the operational process are designated. This paper aims to develop an approach to the problem focused on case-study: the Tunisian Terminal. A quantitative analysis is carried out which allows comparative strategies to be recognized and applied to practical cases. The correct planning and execution of operations on a container terminal is a critical element in the strategy of a terminal. Experience and knowledge of the problems that can arise is fundamental when attempting to treat these operations. In this paper, we identify the different measures of the various types of production, and the difficulties that could be faced when maximizing the container terminal's productivity. Lastly, we recommend some propositions concerning what is being done presently at the terminals to realize their operational objectives.

A simulation optimization method for internal trucks sharing assignment among multiple container terminals

Owing that the internal trucks (ITs) are frequently used as transportation equipments between yards and quaysides, the transportation efficiency of ITs secures a crucial position in container terminal productivity. Hence, a container terminal cannot contain a big number of ITs. As such, it is an imperative to explore an appropriate IT assignment strategy. Specifically for those container terminals with adjacent locations, an approach to sharing internal trucks among multiple container terminals (SIMT) is investigated. In this study, a novel strategy to resolve the SIMT problem was proposed for a specific large port with multiple adjacent container terminals. Firstly, an illustration of the SIMT strategy was presented. Then, an integer programming model for this problem is developed, where the objective functions are subject to the minimization of the total overflowed workloads and total transferring costs in every time-period among these container terminals. In particular, the rolling-horizon approach is employed for considering the immediate scheduling. Furthermore, a simulation optimization method, which integrates the genetic algorithm (GA) searching and simulation, is proposed for the near optimal solutions. Finally, the computational experiments are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed SIMT strategy and simulation optimization method.

Petri Net Modeling: Container Terminal Production Operation Processing System Analysis

Abstract— The paper presents a new redesigned solution for container terminal production processing system. Firstly, the container terminal Production Operation Processing System process was describe by workflow and DFD Then introduce a new terminal production control system with Computing, Communicating, Controlling Technology character. In the last of article, and the integrality and credibility of new system was proved using Petri Net analysis. The new development solution is to improve some disadvantages existed in old system and to rebuild logistics processes with low cost, high quality, more flexible, faster and smart responsiveness to whole terminal production system.

The evolution of container terminal productivity and efficiency under changing economic environments

The paper analyzes the evolution of container terminal productivity and efficiency of 20 terminals in 10 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and Spain for the period 2005–2011. The inclusion of data from the demand growth period, and the subsequent reduction of demand and recovery, allows evaluating the impact and repercussion of the financial crisis on terminal productivity and efficiency.The aim of the empirical analysis in the paper is twofold: a) to document the harmonic mismatch in the evolution of port infra- and superstructure endowment, container demand in key Latin American and Caribbean container terminals and; b) to quantify the effect of the financial crisis and the posterior changing economic development on container port productivity applying non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The panel data analysis allows for specifically identifying the effect of dynamic economic environments on productivity and efficiency on individual terminals.

With DGPS-RTK Terminal Yard Cranes Real-Time Operating System

This paper introduces the intelligent controlling solution of Yard Cranes (YCs, RTG) in the container terminal production process. The Computing, Communication and Controlling Technology (CCCT) play the important role in this port equipment rebuilding. The Terminal Yard Cranes Real-time Operating System (CYCROS) is able to solve the running trail yaw and working loose problems etc. The framework of Real-time Operating System and DGPS-RTK work principle in the solution as well as application case in Tianjin port are showed in this article.

Simulation and Visual Operation: IT Application on Container Terminal Production Logistics System

This paper introduces a solution to process control and visualized management system of container terminal. Some advanced technologies, such as GIS, GPS, WLAN, DLP screen etc, are integrated into the Container Terminal Production Logistics System in the solution. Another innovation is the auto-lock equipment fixed on RTG. IT application on container terminal, which includes accurate positioning, dynamic tracking, process controlling, distance operating, and this solution is able to effectively avoid the drivers operational misplay.

LOPN-Based BPR of Container Terminal Production Controlling System

This paper presents a new redesigned solution on Container Terminal Production Controlling System, which goal is to correct defects existing and to rebuild business processes with lower cost, higher quality, flexible, faster and more intelligent responsiveness to whole system. The model of BPR is confirmed by the method of Logistic Object Petri Net.