An integrated berth allocation and yard assignment problem for bulk ports: Formulation and case study

Abstract

The impact of globalization on maritime transportation has led to its enormous growth over the last decade. Due to the rapid increase in sea-borne demand, large emphasis is placed on making ports more efficient, by promoting the effective utilization of available resources. Therefore, the role of optimization becomes crucial, as port operators aim for the cost-effective option of maximizing port efficiency, rather than the costly alternative of expanding existing capacity. One of the most important seaside planning problems that has received a great deal of attention in research streams is the assignment of quay space to incoming vessels; it is known as the Berth Allocation Problem (BAP). Even though it has been studied extensively, there remain certain unaddressed gaps. Relatively little attention has been focused on the operation of bulk ports, in which terminal operators are concerned with integrating and managing the sea-side area (wharf) and the buffer area for storage. The cargo type must be explicitly known to the bulk port operator, who in turn assigns to it the best storage area and the use of appropriate specialized equipment for loading and discharging. It is evident that the integration of the BAP with yard assignment is necessary, in order to maximize efficiency and obtain the optimal berthing plan in bulk ports. Thus, the current paper studies the integrated dynamic hybrid berth allocation and yard assignment problem (BYAP) in the context of bulk ports. Important assumptions are taken into consideration in order to produce a realistic and practical model. Finally, a relevant case study is presented for the case of Mina Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi.

Integrated laycan and berth allocation problem with ship stability and conveyor routing constraints in bulk ports

“…The authors propose an exact solution algorithm based on a branch and price framework and a metaheuristic approach based on a critical-shaking neighborhood to solve this integrated problem. Al-Hammadi and Diabat (2017) apply the model proposed by Robenek et al (2014) for Mina Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi in order to test different scenarios as a means of sensitivity analysis, with respect to certain factors such as the congestion level, in terms of the relative arrival time of vessels, the unavailability of certain resources and the addition of new resources.…”

On the Berth Allocation Problem

“…Generally, the assumptions considered for the modeling of each problem play a crucial role in the outcome of the model and subsequently on the practicality of the solution [5]. There is a trade-off between accuracy and computational efficiency and selecting the appropriate level is often a difficult task.…”

A cost based approach for a Crane Assignment and Scheduling Problem

“…The initial stage in the process of handling an arriving vessel is designating a berthing location. A berth is a location in a port where a vessel can be moored and eventually unloaded [4], [5]. The unloading of a vessel's container freight is done by a quay crane (QC).…”