The Optimization Process for Seaside Operations at Medium-Sized Container Terminals with a Multi-Quay Layout

Abstract

The optimization of seaside operations at container terminals includes solving standard berth and crane allocation problems. The question arises about the efficiency of such optimizations in small and medium-sized container terminals, with different quay designs or different terminal layouts. This paper focuses on developing an integrated model that would apply to medium-sized terminals with a multi-quay layout. The main objectives are determining the shortest possible vessel stay at the port and providing a high-reliability service to ship operators. The developed integrated model includes the optimization process in three stages: initiation, assignment, and adjustment. The model’s main feature is generating operational scenarios based on the cargo distribution onboard and integrated berth and crane allocation. The aim is to choose the most favorable option to optimize ships’ overall processing time in the planning horizon. The experiment was conducted to test the model’s functionality and justify the results by comparing the results obtained by the integrated model with the classical approach of berth and crane allocation in a multi-quay environment. The results show significant improvements in peak periods when ships’ arrivals are concentrated in smaller time intervals by applying the integrated model.

The Stochastic Frontier Model for Technical Efficiency Estimation of Interconnected Container Terminals

“…Following There are also different methods dealing with port efficiency looking from a logistic perspective, with a primary focus on quality and reliability of production process. In those cases, the efficiency may be expressed as a general cost function, aiming to optimize the resource allocation over the service time, even in a multiterminal environment [69]. Therefore, the efficiency of the terminal may be extended to observe the efficiency of the port system (e.g., NAPA port system) or the efficiency of the logistic service, where the whole logistic network could be constructed as nodes and links between transshipment points [70].…”

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“…automated lifting vehicles, automated guided vehicles, yard trucks etc. The seaside operations face three fundamental scheduling problems, namely, the BAP, the QCAP, and the QC scheduling problem (QCSP) [18]. In the seaside operations, berth allocation is considered one of the major operations and an available berthing position can be allocated to an arrived ship based on various ship and berth characteristics.…”

“…The QCAP deals with assigning QCs to berthed vessels, while QCSP deals with how the QCs assigned to a particular vessel will be used for loading/unloading containers from that vessel [18]. The ship's cargo along with loading and unloading information can be collected from a stowage plan.…”

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“…Container handling processes should be continuously improved so that seaports could handle more and more containers in the shortest possible time, in due safety measures. Limiting the available stacking area and the number of handling equipment extends the time of loading/unloading operations (Grubisic et al , 2020). An effective operational plan at container terminals requires many factors, methods and simulations to be considered when making decisions (Won and Kim, 2009).…”