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

The synergistic effect of operational research and big data analytics in greening container terminal operations: a review and future directions

Container Terminals (CTs) are continuously presented with highly interrelated, complex, and uncertain planning tasks. The ever-increasing intensity of operations at CTs in recent years has also resulted in increasing environmental concerns, and they are experiencing an unprecedented pressure to lower their emissions. Operational Research (OR), as a key player in the optimisation of the complex decision problems that arise from the quay and land side operations at CTs, has been therefore presented with new challenges and opportunities to incorporate environmental considerations into decision making and better utilise the ‘big data’ that is continuously generated from the never-stopping operations at CTs. The state-of-the-art literature on OR's incorporation of environmental considerations and its interplay with Big Data Analytics (BDA) is, however, still very much underdeveloped, fragmented, and divergent, and a guiding framework is completely missing. This paper presents a review of the most relevant developments in the field and sheds light on promising research opportunities for the better exploitation of the synergistic effect of the two disciplines in addressing CT operational problems, while incorporating uncertainty and environmental concerns efficiently. The paper finds that while OR has thus far contributed to improving the environmental performance of CTs (rather implicitly), this can be much further stepped up with more explicit incorporation of environmental considerations and better exploitation of BDA predictive modelling capabilities. New interdisciplinary research at the intersection of conventional CT optimisation problems, energy management and sizing, and net-zero technology and energy vectors adoption is also presented as a prominent line of future research

Solution methods for an integrated lot sizing and scheduling problem

In this talk we present results of an ongoing study, based on a problem of a textile factory. The core problem is an integrated lotsizing and scheduling one, characterized by sets of parallel machines, arbitrary demands and due dates for products, a compatibility matrix between machines and components and release dates of machines. In a solution, the quantities to produce by product/component/size are split among smaller lots, the machines in which those lots will be produced are determined, as well as the order in which they will be done. We present a MIP model and results of a VNS heuristic

Adaptive autotuning mathematical approaches for integrated optimization of automated container terminal

With the development of automated container terminals (ACTs), reducing the loading and unloading time of operation and improving the working efficiency and service level have become the key point. Taking into account the actual operation mode of loading and unloading in ACTs, a mixed integer programming model is adopted in this study to minimize the loading and unloading time of ships, which can optimize the integrated scheduling of the gantry cranes (QCs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and automated rail-mounted gantries (ARMGs) in automated terminals. Various basic metaheuristic and improved hybrid algorithms were developed to optimize the model, proving the effectiveness of the model to obtain an optimized scheduling scheme by numerical experiments and comparing the different performances of algorithms. The results show that the hybrid GA-PSO algorithm with adaptive autotuning approaches by fuzzy control is superior to other algorithms in terms of solution time and quality, which can effectively solve the problem of integrated scheduling of automated container terminals to improve efficiency.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Control of free-ranging automated guided vehicles in container terminals

Container terminal automation has come to the fore during the last 20 years to improve their efficiency. Whereas a high level of automation has already been achieved in vertical handling operations (stacking cranes), horizontal container transport still has disincentives to the adoption of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) due to a high degree of operational complexity of vehicles. This feature has led to the employment of simple AGV control techniques while hindering the vehicles to utilise their maximum operational capability. In AGV dispatching, vehicles cannot amend ongoing delivery assignments although they have yet to receive the corresponding containers. Therefore, better AGV allocation plans would be discarded that can only be achieved by task reassignment. Also, because of the adoption of predetermined guide paths, AGVs are forced to deploy a highly limited range of their movement abilities while increasing required travel distances for handling container delivery jobs. To handle the two main issues, an AGV dispatching model and a fleet trajectory planning algorithm are proposed. The dispatcher achieves job assignment flexibility by allowing AGVs towards to container origins to abandon their current duty and receive new tasks. The trajectory planner advances Dubins curves to suggest diverse optional paths per origin-destination pair. It also amends vehicular acceleration rates for resolving conflicts between AGVs. In both of the models, the framework of simulated annealing was applied to resolve inherent time complexity. To test and evaluate the sophisticated AGV control models for vehicle dispatching and fleet trajectory planning, a bespoke simulation model is also proposed. A series of simulation tests were performed based on a real container terminal with several performance indicators, and it is identified that the presented dispatcher outperforms conventional vehicle dispatching heuristics in AGV arrival delay time and setup travel time, and the fleet trajectory planner can suggest shorter paths than the corresponding Manhattan distances, especially with fewer AGVs.Open Acces

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

Focusing on the case analysis of advanced smart ports

학위논문(석사) -- 서울대학교대학원 : 행정대학원 글로벌행정전공, 2023. 2. Lee, Soo-young.본 연구에서는 최근 각광받고 있는 스마트 항만의 개념과 항만 경쟁력과의 관계를 고찰해 보고, 선진 스마트 항만에 대한 다각적인 분석을 통해 우리나라 스마트 항만 발전 방향에 대한 시사점을 도출하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 A. Molavi 외의 연구에서 확립된 스마트 항만 평가 척도의 4가지 측면, 운영측면(Operation), 환경측면(Environment), 에너지 측면(Energy), 그리고 안전과 보안 측면(Safety & Security)의 분석틀을 활용하여 스마트 항만 개발과 발전에 가장 앞선 네덜란드의 로테르담 항만과 독일의 함부르크 항만의 정책 분석을 시도하였다. A. Molavi 외의 연구는 측정 가능한 스마트화 지수를 발전시켜 각 항만의 스마트화 정도를 가늠하고 장단점을 파악할 수 있게 하기 위한 취지에서 개발되었다. 하지만 본 연구에서는 스마트 항만의 평가 척도를 활용하되 질적인 분석으로 접근하여 정책 활용 측면에서 유용한 시사점을 도출하는데 목적을 두었다. 또한 동일한 틀을 활용하여 현재 부산 컨테이너 터미널의 스마트 항만 발전 계획을 분석하고 발전방향 설정에 도움을 주고자 하였다. 우선 운영 측면에서 선진 스마트 항만들은 항만 내 하역 전 과정의 완전 자동화를 달성하였고, 이에 그치지 않고 항만 내 모든 과정을 4차 산업혁명의 첨단 기술들을 활용하여 무인화와 효율화를 추구하였다. 이 과정에서 A.I, IoT, 블록체인 등 4차 산업혁명의 핵심 기술들을 적극 활용하여 항만의 전체적인 모습을 변화시켜 가고 있으며, 비용절감과 생산성 증대 등 직접적인 효과뿐만 아니라 글로벌 물류의 핵심 구심점으로써 스마트 항만의 가능성을 발전시켜 나가고 있다. 이를 통해 항만 경쟁력 향상은 물론 물류 포털로써의 지위를 선점하기 위한 경쟁도 심화되고 있다. 환경 측면에서는 친환경 항만에 대한 관심이 증대되고 있다. 항만은 더 이상 도시와 분리되어 존재하는 독립된 영역이 아닌, 인접 도시 주민들과 상호 영향을 주고받으며 발전하는 호혜적인 관계를 구축해야 한다는데 공감대가 형성되고 있다. 이를 위해 그동안 항만 활동을 통해 야기되었던 환경 오염 문제를 줄이고 지역사회에 기여하기 위한 노력들이 활발히 진행되고 있다. 전력에 기반한 친환경 하역장비로 대체하고, 선박의 연료를 친환경 연료로 전환하는 노력이 진행 중이다. 항만 내 유휴부지를 활용해 신재생에너지를 발전하고 인근 지역에 공급하는 방안과, 항만의 환경 문제를 IoT 기술을 활용하여 실시간으로 감시하고 공유하는 시스템을 구축하여 항만의 지속 가능한 발전을 의도하며 탄소 중립 사회로의 진전에 중요한 역할을 자처하고 있다. 에너지 측면에서는 스마트 항만이 미래 수소 사회의 핵심 공급 기지가 될 전망이다. 해상 물류와 육상 물류가 결합되는 기능적 이점을 활용하여 수소의 생산과 저장, 분배 등 수소 경제의 핵심 인프라를 항만 내 구축하고 항만 기능과의 결합을 시도하고 있다. 이를 위해 선진 항만들은 대규모 파이프 라인을 건설하는 프로젝트들을 진행하며 미래를 준비하고 있다. 안전과 보안 측면에서는 항만이 첨단 기술 활용의 경연장이 되고 있다. 항공 및 해상, 수중 드론 등 첨단 장비들을 활용하여 드넓은 항만을 가상 현실세계인 트윈 타워에 이식하고 인공지능에 의한 실시간 관리 감독이 가능한 시스템이 구축되고 있다. 항만 내 하역작업의 무인화는 안전사고의 위험을 획기적으로 줄일 수 있을 뿐만 아니라, 사각 지대가 없는 관리 감독도 가능해져 항만 내 재난사고와 밀입국 등의 문제를 근본적으로 변화시킬 것으로 기대되고 있다. 하지만 선진 스마트 항만에서 추구하는 근본적인 방향은 세계 물류의 핵심 포털을 구축하는 것이며 이를 위해 항만의 역할은 기존의 지역적인 한계를 넘어 기능적으로 그리고 물리적으로 팽창하고 있다. 우리나라의 경우 일찍이 자동화 항만의 발전을 시작한 유럽 항만은 물론 인근 중국과 싱가포르의 자동화 항만과 비교해도 뒤쳐지고 있는 것이 현실이다. 이를 만회하기 위해 중앙 정부 차원에서 스마트 해상물류체계 구축 전략을 수립하고 2030년 스마트 항만의 본격적인 운영을 계획하고 있다. 하지만 본 계획은 전반적인 물류 기능 중 하위 요소로 스마트 항만을 인식하고 있으며, 이는 스마트 항만을 자동화 항만이라는 좁은 측면에서만 바라보고 있는 것으로, 항만의 미래 잠재력에 대한 선진 항만들의 인식과는 큰 차이가 있다고 하겠다. 또한 스마트 항만의 발전 과정에서 민간 기업과 항만 이해관계자들이 적극적으로 참여하고 협력하여 스마트 항만의 모습을 그려가는 선진 항만과는 달리 우리나라의 경우 여전히 정부 주도 발전 방식을 고수하고 있으며, 가장 주도적인 역할을 해야 할 항만 공사들의 역할이 미미한 것은 한계라고 하겠다. 그리고 향후 탄소 중립 사회로의 이행의무 등 환경적인 문제와 친환경 에너지로의 전환이 중요시되고 있는 시점에서 이에 대한 근본적인 전환계획이나 항만의 새로운 역할에 대한 고민이 부족한 것도 비교 연구를 통해 도출할 수 있었다. 유럽의 항만들과는 달리 수소 경제로의 이행에 있어 항만의 핵심적 역할이 빠져 있다는 것은 스마트 항만에 대한 인식 부족에서 비롯된 것으로 보이며 이에 대한 정책적 개선이 필요한 것으로 보인다.This study examines the relationship between the concept of smart ports and port competitiveness, which have recently been in the spotlight, and attempts to derive implications for Korea's smart port development direction through various analysis of advanced smart ports. To this end, this research attempted to analyze the policies of Rotterdam Port in the Netherlands and Hamburg Port in Germany, which are most advanced in smart port development and development, using the analysis framework of four smart port evaluation measures established in A. Molavi et al. In terms of operation, advanced smart ports achieved complete automation of the entire loading and unloading process in the port, and not only this, but all processes in the port were pursued for unmanned and efficient use of the advanced technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution. In terms of the environment, interest in eco-friendly ports is increasing. There is a consensus that ports should no longer be independent areas that exist separately from cities, but should establish reciprocal relationships that interact and develop with residents of neighboring cities. In terms of energy, smart ports are expected to become a key supply base for the future hydrogen society. Taking advantage of the functional advantages of combining marine logistics and land logistics, the core infrastructure of the hydrogen economy, such as hydrogen production, storage, and distribution, is built in ports and attempted to combine them with port functions. In terms of safety and security, ports are becoming a competition for the use of advanced technology. Using high-tech equipment such as aviation, sea, and underwater drones, a system that allows real-time management and supervision by artificial intelligence is being established by transplanting a wide port into a virtual reality twin tower. In the case of Korea, the reality is that it is lagging behind not only European ports that started the development of automated ports early but also automated ports in neighboring China and Singapore. To make up for this, the central government has established a "smart maritime logistics system construction strategy" and plans to operate smart ports in earnest in 2030. However, this plan recognizes smart ports as a sub-factor of the overall logistics function, which only looks at smart ports in the narrow aspect of automated ports, which is very different from advanced ports' perceptions of the future potential of ports. In addition, unlike advanced ports in which private companies and port stakeholders actively participate and cooperate in the development of smart ports, Korea still adheres to the government-led development method, and the role of port authorities to play the most leading role is insignificant. In addition, at a time when environmental problems such as the obligation to transition to a carbon-neutral society in the future and the transition to eco-friendly energy are becoming important, this comparative study was able to derive the lack of concern about the fundamental transition plan or the new role of ports. Unlike ports in Europe, the absence of a key role in the transition to a hydrogen economy seems to stem from a lack of awareness of smart ports, and policy improvements are needed.Chapter 1. Introduction １ 1.1. Study Background １ 1.2. Scope and Method of Study ２ Chapter 2. Theoretical Discussions and Prior Study Reviews ４ 2.1. Theoretical discussion of smart ports ４ 2.1.1. Significance of Ports ４ 2.1.2. Development of Ports ５ 2.1.3. Prior Study of Smart Ports ６ 2.1.4. Smart Port Index (SPI) ９ 2.2. Theoretical discussion of port competitiveness １１ 2.2.1 The Concept of Port Competitiveness １１ 2.2.2. A Prior Study on Port Competitiveness １３ 2.2.3. Port Competitiveness and Performance Evaluation １５ 2.3. The relationship between smart ports and port competitiveness １７ 2.3.1. Smart Port Components and Port Competitiveness １７ 2.3.2. Trends in Smart Port Development ２３ 2.4. Results of previous study review ２７ 3.1. Analysis Targets and Data ２８ 3.2. Analytical Model ２９ Chapter 3. Case Analysis ３２ 3.1. Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands) ３２ 3.1.1. Background and Status of Smart Port Introduction ３２ 3.1.2. Operational Aspects of Smart Port ３４ 3.1.3. Environmental Aspects of Smart Port ３７ 3.1.4. Energy Aspects of Smart Port ３９ 3.1.5. Safety and Security Aspects of Smart Port ４１ 3.1.6. Implications ４３ 3.2. Port of Hamburg (Germany) ４５ 3.2.1. Background and Status of Smart Port Introduction ４５ 3.2.2. Operational Aspects of Smart Port ４８ 3.2.3. Environmental Aspects of Smart Port ５１ 3.2.4. Energy Aspects of Smart Port ５３ 3.2.5. Safety and Security Aspects of Smart Port ５５ 3.2.5. Implications ５６ 3.3. Port of Busan (S.Korea) ５８ 3.3.1. Background and Status of Smart Port Introduction ５８ 3.3.2. Operational Aspects of Smart Port ６０ 3.3.3. Environmental Aspects of Smart Port ６２ 3.3.4. Energy Aspects of Smart Port ６３ 3.3.5. Safety and Security Aspects of Smart Port ６４ Chapter 4. Conclusion ６６ 4.1. Results of Research ６６ 4.2. Policy Implications ７０ 4.3. Limitations of Research ７４ Bibliography ７６ Abstract in Korean ８２석

The synergistic effect of operational research and big data analytics in greening container terminal operations: A review and future directions

Container Terminals (CTs) are continuously presented with highly interrelated, complex, and uncertain planning tasks. The ever-increasing intensity of operations at CTs in recent years has also resulted in increasing environmental concerns, and they are experiencing an unprecedented pressure to lower their emissions. Operational Research (OR), as a key player in the optimisation of the complex decision problems that arise from the quay and land side operations at CTs, has been therefore presented with new challenges and opportunities to incorporate environmental considerations into decision making and better utilise the ‘big data’ that is continuously generated from the never-stopping operations at CTs. The state-of-the-art literature on OR's incorporation of environmental considerations and its interplay with Big Data Analytics (BDA) is, however, still very much underdeveloped, fragmented, and divergent, and a guiding framework is completely missing. This paper presents a review of the most relevant developments in the field and sheds light on promising research opportunities for the better exploitation of the synergistic effect of the two disciplines in addressing CT operational problems, while incorporating uncertainty and environmental concerns efficiently. The paper finds that while OR has thus far contributed to improving the environmental performance of CTs (rather implicitly), this can be much further stepped up with more explicit incorporation of environmental considerations and better exploitation of BDA predictive modelling capabilities. New interdisciplinary research at the intersection of conventional CT optimisation problems, energy management and sizing, and net-zero technology and energy vectors adoption is also presented as a prominent line of future research