Modelling of dual-cycle strategy for container storage and vehicle scheduling problems at automated container terminals

This study proposes a new approach to determine the dispatching rules of AGVs and container storage locations, considering both unloading and loading processes simultaneously. We formulate this problem as a mixed integer programming model, aiming to minimise the ship’s berth time. Optimal solutions can be obtained in small sizes, however, large-sized problems are hard to solve optimally in a reasonable time. Therefore, a heuristic method, i.e. genetic algorithm is designed to solve the problem in large sizes. A series of numerical experiments are carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the integration approach and algorithm

Stochastic Modeling of Unloading and Loading Operations at a Container Terminal using Automated Lifting Vehicles

With growing worldwide trade, container terminals have grown in number and size. Many new terminals are now automated to increase operational efficiency. The key focus is on improving seaside processes, where a distinction can be made between single quay crane operations (all quay cranes are either loading or unloading containers) and overlapping quay crane operations (some quay cranes are loading while others are unloading containers). From existing studies, it is not clear if the design insights obtained from analyzing single operations, such as optimal stack layout, are consistent with the insights obtained from analyzing overlapping operations. In this paper, we develop new integrated stochastic models for analyzing the performance of overlapping loading and unloading operations that capture the complex stochastic interactions among quayside, vehicle, and stackside processes. Using these integrated models, we are able to show that that there are stack layout configurations that are robust for both single (either loading or unloading) and for overlapping (both loading and unloading) operations

Future Greener Seaports:A Review of New Infrastructure, Challenges, and Energy Efficiency Measures

Recently, the application of renewable energy sources (RESs) for power distribution systems is growing immensely. This advancement brings several advantages, such as energy sustainability and reliability, easier maintenance, cost-effective energy sources, and ecofriendly. The application of RESs in maritime systems such as port microgrids massively improves energy efficiency and reduces the utilization of fossil fuels, which is a serious threat to the environment. Accordingly, ports are receiving several initiatives to improve their energy efficiency by deploying different types of RESs based on the power electronic converters. This paper conducts a systematic review to provide cutting-edge state-of-the-art on the modern electrification and infrastructure of seaports taking into account some challenges such as the environmental aspects, energy efficiency enhancement, renewable energy integration, and legislative and regulatory requirements. Moreover, the technological methods, including electrifications, digitalization, onshore power supply applications, and energy storage systems of ports, are addressed. Furthermore, details of some operational strategies such as energy-aware operations and peak-shaving are delivered. Besides, the infrastructure scheme to enhance the energy efficiency of modern ports, including port microgrids and seaport smart microgrids are delivered. Finally, the applications of nascent technologies in seaports are presented

Sea Container Terminals

Due to a rapid growth in world trade and a huge increase in containerized goods, sea container terminals play a vital role in globe-spanning supply chains. Container terminals should be able to handle large ships, with large call sizes within the shortest time possible, and at competitive rates. In response, terminal operators, shipping liners, and port authorities are investing in new technologies to improve container handling infrastructure and operational efficiency. Container terminals face challenging research problems which have received much attention from the academic community. The focus of this paper is to highlight the recent developments in the container terminals, which can be categorized into three areas: (1) innovative container terminal technologies, (2) new OR directions and models for existing research areas, and (3) emerging areas in container terminal research. By choosing this focus, we complement existing reviews on container terminal operations

Modeling and Design of Container Terminal Operations

Design of container terminal operations is complex because multiple factors affect the operational perfor- mance. These factors include: topological constraints, a large number of design parameters and settings, and stochastic interactions that interplay among the quayside, vehicle transport, and stackside processes. In this research, we propose new integrated queuing network models for rapid design evaluation of container terminals with Automated Lift Vehicles (ALVs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). These models offer the flexibility to analyze alternate design variations and develop insights. For instance, the effect of alternate vehicle dwell point policy is analyzed using state-dependent queues, whereas the efficient terminal layout is determined using variation in the service time expressions at the stations. Further, using embedded Markov chain analysis, we develop an approximate procedure for analyzing bulk container arrivals. These models form the building block for design and analysis of large-scale terminal operations. We test the model efficacy using detailed in-house simulation experiments and real-terminal validation by partnering with an external party

Optimal Stack Layout in a Sea Container Terminal with Automated Lifting Vehicles

Container terminal performance is largely determined by its design decisions, which include the number and type of quay cranes (QCs), stack cranes (SCs), transport vehicles, vehicle travel path, and stack layout. The terminal design process is complex because it is affected by factors such as topological constraints, stochastic interactions among the quayside, vehicle transport and stackside operations. Further, the orientation of the stack layout (parallel or perpendicular to the quayside) plays an important role in the throughput time performance of the terminals. Previous studies in this area typically use deterministic optimization or probabilistic travel time models to analyze the effect of stack layout on terminal throughput times, and ignore the stochastic interactions among the resou

A study of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in Dublin Port in conjunction with the Intelligent Transport for Dynamic Environment (InTraDE) Project

In the last four decades the container as an essential part of a unit load-concept has achieved authentic importance in international sea freight transportation. With ever increasing containerization the number of port container terminals and competition among them has become quite remarkable. Port container operations are nowadays unthinkable without effective and efficient use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) (Steenken & Stahlbock, 2004). The main problem in handling increasing levels of cargo is managing the internal traffic and optimizing space inside smaller and medium sized ports. A gap exists between automated cargo handling equipment that is suitable for use in the larger container terminals such as Rotterdam and its suitability in smaller terminals such as Dublin. A new generation of cargo handling technology has been designed in the form of an Intelligent Autonomous Vehicle (IAV). The IAV is a clean, safe, intelligent vehicle which will contribute to improving the traffic management and space optimization inside confined space by developing a clean, safe and intelligent transport system. This technology has been designed and developed as part of the ‘InTraDE’ (Intelligent Transport for Dynamic Environment) project to which the research has contributed. By using ITSs, logistics operations could be improved by enhancing the exchange of information and real-time status updates regarding different business operations in different modes of transportation (Schumacher et al., 2011). Maritime transport has recently gained increased attention, especially in connection to the building and further development of ITS (Pietrzykowski, 2010). This research looks at the main logistic processes and operations in port container terminals. It discusses the extent to which the terminal shipping operators in Dublin Port currently meet the demands of their customers and whether the introduction of ITS could enhance the efficiency and productivity of such services

INNOVATIVE SIMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION STUDIES ON GRID SYSTEM FOR TRANSSHIPMENT TERMINAL

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Estudio sobre el avance del conocimiento en la automatización de las terminales portuarias de contenedores

[ES] Dada la alta competitividad del sector portuario, asi como la alta especializacion de los traficos, se intenta dar un valor an~adido a los clientes, y en especial a las navieras, que buscan tiempos de estancia bajos para poder maximizar la rentabilidad del buque. Por otro lado, y centrandose en el trafico de contenedores maritimos, los operadores de las terminales buscan una eficiencia en las operaciones, y en algunos casos, ademas, un aumento de la capacidad. Actualmente existe una tendencia de llevar a cabo la consecucion de los objetivos anteriores a partir de la automatizacion de la terminal. Esta tendencia de automatizacion ha crecido muy rapidamente desde la apertura en 1993 de la primera terminal de este tipo. Es por ello, que, este trabajo tiene como objetivo estudiar la evolucion de estas, enfocandose en los avances mas recientes, teniendo varias perspectivas. En primer lugar, se examina el avance en los distintos elementos que componen la terminal de contenedores automatizada, para posteriormente ver que problemas se han resuelto en el ambito academico. Finalmente se realizara un analisis de las terminales automatizadas y semiautomatizadas existentes.[CA] Donada l'alta competitivitat del sector portuari, aixi com l'alta especialitzacio dels tra`nsits, s'intenta donar un valor afegit als clients, i especialment a les navilieres, que busquen temps d'estada baixos per a poder maximitzar la rendibilitat del vaixell. D'altra banda, i centrant-se en el tra`nsit de contenidors maritims, els operadors de les terminals busquen una eficie`ncia en les operacions, i en alguns casos, a mes, un augment de la capacitat. Actualment existeix una tende`ncia de dur a terme la consecucio dels objectius anteriors a partir de l'automatitzacio de la terminal. Aquesta tende`ncia d'automatitzacio ha crescut molt ra`pidament des de l'obertura en 1993 de la primera terminal d'aquest tipus. Es per aixo`, que, aquest treball te com a objectiu estudiar l'evolucio d'aquestes, enfocant-se en els avancos mes recents, tenint diverses perspectives. En primer lloc, s'examina l'avanc en els diferents elements que componen la terminal de contenidors automatitzada, per a posteriorment veure quins problemes s'han resolt en l'a`mbit acade`mic. Finalment es realitzara` una ana`lisi de les terminals automatitzades i semiautomatitzades existents.[EN] The high competitiveness of port industry coupled with the specialization of maritime have resulted in rising the added value they place toward customers. The ones most affected are usually the shipping companies which seek short turnarounds to maximize the ship's cost-efficiency. Furthermore, -and focusing in the traffic of containers- terminal operator's aim is to ensure operations are efficient, and in some cases, to increase capacity. Current trends try to accomplish both goals with the automation of port container terminals. That trend of automation has rapidly expanded since its inception in 1993. This project will therefore study the evolution of said innovations, centring itself in the progress achieved recently. Firstly, this paper will discuss the evolution of the various elements that compose an automated terminal. Secondly, all problems present within said elements and already solved by the academia will be examined. Finally, an analysis of all existing automated and semi-automates terminals will be done.Baviera García, M. (2019). Estudio sobre el avance del conocimiento en la automatización de las terminales portuarias de contenedores. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/131784Archivo delegad