Simulation, Analysis and Optimization of Container Terminals Processes

Abstract

The freight logistics includes all the processes needed to supply industry, retailers and wholesalers and final customers with goods. Such processes generate a flow of goods that, in the global supply chain, mainly relies on the activities carried out within worldwide container terminals. In this paper, the authors present a simulation model of a real container terminal. After some preliminary analyses, the simulation model is first used with Design of Experiments and Analysis of Variance to investigate the effects of different resources allocations (i.e., number of forklifts and tractors) and some parameters (i.e., inter-arrival times, container unloading time) on the container terminal performances in terms of total number of handled containers per day. Then, based on the results achieved through the Design of Experiments and Analysis of Variance, the simulation model is used with genetic algorithms to carry out a range allocation optimization on berth assignment to incoming ships and number of tractors serving each quay crane. The aim of the optimization is the minimization of the average time spent by each ship in the port area (decreasing, as consequence, costs and increasing service level provided to final customers).

Operative and procedural cooperative training in marine ports

“…Indeed, the literature review confirms that there is quite a large amount of research works that show how simulation has already been successfully applied to support decision making [5] and training of operators working within the port area, i.e. cranes, trucks, straddle carriers operators, etc.…”

Simulation Optimization: A Review and Exploration in the New Era of Cloud Computing and Big Data

“…Several applications and enhancements of agent based simulation have been proposed particularly in the area of optimization of cargo terminal operations (Davidsson, 2005;Peng and Sun, 2009;Bruzzone et al, 2012). Legato and Trunfio (2007) propose a simulation-modeling paradigm based on process interaction for the optimal management of logistic activities in a modern container terminal.…”

New enabling technologies and solutions for car terminals procedures enhancement and operators training

“…Indeed, M&S has revealed itself a powerful problem solving methodology (Banks, 1998) with successful applications in many application domains especially industry, logistics and supply chains (Piera et al, 2004). In particular, M&S applications in marine ports include decision support models at various decision levels: strategic, tactic and operational (Longo, 2007;Bruzzone et al, 2012), models for supporting security issues (Longo, 2010) especially after September 11th 2001 and even for operators training with particular focus on container terminals operators. The effectiveness of simulation-based approaches is supported by a great deal of research works.…”