Scheduled service network design with synchronization and transshipment constraints for intermodal container transportation networks

In this paper we address the problem of scheduled service network design for container freight distribution along rivers, canals, and coastlines. We propose a new concise continuous- time mixed-integer linear programming model that accurately evaluates the time of occurrence of transportation events and the number of containers transshipped between vehicles. Given the transportation network, the eet of available vehicles, the demand and the supply of containers, the sailing time of vehicles, and the structure of costs, the objective of the model is to build a minimum cost service network design and container distribution plan that denes services, their departure and arrival times, as well as vehicle and container routing. The model is solved with a commercial solver and is tested on data instances inspired from real-world problems encountered by EU carrier companies. The results of the computational study show that in scheduled service networks direct routes happen more often when either the eet capacity is tight or the handling costs and the lead time interval increase. The increase of the same parameters leads to the decrease of the number of containers transshipped between vehicles

Cross-Docking: A Proven LTL Technique to Help Suppliers Minimize Products\u27 Unit Costs Delivered to the Final Customers

This study aims at proposing a decision-support tool to reduce the total supply chain costs (TSCC) consisting of two separate and independent objective functions including total transportation costs (TTC) and total cross-docking operating cost (TCDC). The full-truckload (FT) transportation mode is assumed to handle supplier→customer product transportation; otherwise, a cross-docking terminal as an intermediate transshipment node is hired to handle the less-than-truckload (LTL) product transportation between the suppliers and customers. TTC model helps minimize the total transportation costs by maximization of the number of FT transportation and reduction of the total number of LTL. TCDC model tries to minimize total operating costs within a cross-docking terminal. Both sub-objective functions are formulated as binary mathematical programming models. The first objective function is a binary-linear programming model, and the second one is a binary-quadratic assignment problem (QAP) model. QAP is an NP-hard problem, and therefore, besides a complement enumeration method using ILOG CPLEX software, the Tabu search (TS) algorithm with four diversification methods is employed to solve larger size problems. The efficiency of the model is examined from two perspectives by comparing the output of two scenarios including; i.e., 1) when cross-docking is included in the supply chain and 2) when it is excluded. The first perspective is to compare the two scenarios’ outcomes from the total supply chain costs standpoint, and the second perspective is the comparison of the scenarios’ outcomes from the total supply chain costs standpoint. By addressing a numerical example, the results confirm that the present of cross-docking within a supply chain can significantly reduce total supply chain costs and total transportation costs

Hybrid simulation and optimization approach for green intermodal transportation problem with travel time uncertainty

The increasing volumes of road transportation contribute to congestion on road, which leads to delays and other negative impacts on the reliability of transportation. Moreover, transportation is one of the main contributors to the growth of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, where the impact of road transportation is significant. Therefore, governmental organizations and private commercial companies are looking for greener transportation solutions to eliminate the negative externalities of road transportation. In this paper, we present a novel solution framework to support the operational-level decisions for intermodal transportation networks using a combination of an optimization model and simulation. The simulation model includes stochastic elements in form of uncertain travel times, whereas the optimization model represents a deterministic and linear multi-commodity service network design formulation. The intermodal transportation plan can be optimized according to different objectives, including costs, time and CO2e emissions. The proposed approach is successfully implemented to real-life scenarios where differences in transportation plans for alternative objectives are presented. The solutions for transportation networks with up to 250 services and 20 orders show that the approach is capable of delivering reliable solutions and identifying possible disruptions and alternatives for adapting the unreliable transportation plans

Infrastructure investment at Florida's deep-water seaports : does investment meet the needs of improved trade and container traffic?

Continuous improvements are an important element of port operations, especially for Florida’s three largest container ports along the Atlantic which handle 90% of all container trade in the state. They are expanding capabilities to handle larger containerships with higher cargo loads as well as improve landside connection to distribution networks. PortMiami, Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) and JAXPort (Jacksonville) are in a race to capture more market share from containerized trade, predominantly with Asia. The bulk of that trade will continue to flow to West Coast ports because they are the most direct even though the majority of the U.S. population lives east of the Mississippi. Ports on the East Coast are engaged in growing as viable alternatives for carriers that want to avoid congestion issues on West Coast trade lanes. The capital investments in port improvement projects in Florida represent a fraction of the billions being spent at ports across the world, each trying to advance their standing in supply chains and be utilized more by carriers. The shipping industry is closely aligning how fast and at what cost cargo can be delivered with other supply chain strategies to improve reliability. Almost every major port in the U.S. is increasing capacity for larger ships to dock and concentrating development on improving the speed and efficiency of cargo handling including rail/truck links to transportation networks. Ports in Florida have the added complexity of competing not only with out-of-state ports, but against each other in-state. This paper examines the factors behind why ports need to invest in increasing capacity. It focuses on 1) existing and planned improvements at PortMiami, Port Everglades and JAXPort to handle larger ships and increased cargo loads; 2) highlighting each port’s standing in current supply chains and the challenges each face; and 3) ascertaining whether each port can grow physically to meet expanded levels of trade. I conclude the professional report with a recommendation that only one port in the state, JAXPort, is positioned with the best chance to capture market share from competing ports and become a more dominate regional player in container trade.Community and Regional Plannin

Simulation framework of port operation and recovery planning

This study proposes a framework of simulation tool suites for ports to evaluate their response to disaster crisis and port security policies. The focus is containerized cargos that are imported through ports in the U.S. with final destinations also in the U.S. A crisis, such as a man-made or natural disaster, may cause a delay at the seaport. The down time of ports may result in severe economic losses. Thus, when a seaport cannot normally operate, it is important to minimize the impact caused by the disrupted freight flow. Port security policies also have a significant impact on the port operation efficiency. This model developed in this study evaluates the performance of re-routing strategies under different crisis scenarios and can help the user to find an effective re-routing decision and analyze security policies of a port. This model also analyzes security policies of the simulation port

Operations Research for Green Logistics – An Overview of Aspects, Issues, Contributions and Challenges

The worldwide economic growth of the last century has given rise to a vast consumption of goods while globalization has led to large streams of goods all over the world. The production, transportation, storage and consumption of all these goods, however, have created large environmental problems. Today, global warming, created by large scale emissions of greenhouse gasses, is a top environmental concern. Governments, action groups and companies are asking for measures to counter this threat. Operations research has a long tradition in improving operations and especially in reducing costs. In this paper, we present a review that highlights the contribution of operations research to green logistics, which involves the integration of environmental aspects in logistics. We give a sketch of the present and possible developments, focussing on design, planning and control in a supply chain for transportation, inventory of products and facility decisions. While doing this, we also indicate several areas where environmental aspects could be included in OR models for logistics

Satisficing Strategy in Development of a Port System: Viet Nam Case Study

The role of Viet Nam port system increases in simultaneously with its economic development. Although it has had attention and investment from the government since 1990s, it has been still facing with some problems such as congestion in ports and unbalance among ports, and meeting limitations such as geographic conditions, budgets and technologies. Actually, development of a national economy in generally and that of port system in particularly are influenced by many factors and affected mutually. Obviously, the transportation and port systems significantly affect on economy, so they should be paid much attention. Consequently, an overview of ASEAN, Indochina and particular Viet Nam economies is presented, which shows why Viet Nam should be focused on developing its port system. Recently, Viet Nam as well as ASEAN trade has been grown up so remarkably. As a result, Viet Nam transportation demands have been and will be increased, particularly on the maritime transport. Due to Viet Nam geography, port system has been considered as a vital aspect of national transport infrastructure in generally and most important one of maritime transport in particularly. Consequently, a classification of Viet Nam ports would give a deep look on inside aspect and container ports would be mentioned as one of the key project in the future. Actually, port system is a dynamic subject and government policies for development have been updated continuously. A strategic master plan to develop Viet Nam port system until 2010 and targets to 2040, which was issued in 1999, and then up-to-dated master plan issued in 2009 would be reviewed. It would show changes of Viet Nam port system on many aspects such as demands, capacities, and policies. Correspondingly, the transportation planning process would be introduced, which incorporates analysis of business and input from the business community. Consequently, the satisficing strategy for port development would be defined and the reasons why it should be applied for Viet Nam port development would be presented. Sequent theories of interested strategies would be reviewed, which have been applied in many successful port systems in the world. They promise to bring much contribution when making a plan for development of Viet Nam port system. Obviously, many gravitational forces have impacts on Viet Nam port system, which force Viet Nam ports have to change, evolve or die. Responsively, the master plan has been modified to meet up-to-dated requirements. City ports especially in Ho Chi Minh City should be relocated outside to suitable location(s). In addition, strategies to enhance them should be studied and implemented, in which container ports should be paid much attention. Development of Dry Port system, transshipment ports and/or logistics activity zones such as ZALs, Distriparks and/or FTZz is considered as efficient and effective alternatives. Furthermore, other successful and interested strategies applying in developing port systems in the world should be studied and implemented for Viet Nam port system. And also Viet Nam should cooperate with other partners or countries such as the Republic of Korea, which have developed port systems, to get experience, technology, management system, and budget from them. This research would propose some alternatives in development of Viet Nam ports as a satisficing strategy. Obviously, it could not mention all aspects of Vietnamese ports, but it hopes giving useful ideas or alternatives to enhance and develop an effective, efficient and competitive not only for Viet Nam case but also for other developing countries.CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Roles of transportation and particular port systems in economy 1 1.2 An overview of Viet Nam economy and port systems 4 1.3 Review of strategies to develop port systems 11 1.4 Research Aims and Objectives 13 1.5 Scale and scope 14 1.6 Outlines of the dissertation 14 CHAPTER 2. PROSPECT OF VIET NAM PORT SYSTEM 15 2.1 Viet Nam and ASEAN trade 15 2.2 Classification of Viet Nam ports 25 2.3 Container port system 29 2.4 Strategic master plan 33 2.5 Analysis 38 2.6 Conclusion 41 CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGIES 42 3.1 Satisficing strategy 43 3.2 Quick evaluation of port systems 50 3.3 Containerization and transshipment ports 60 3.4 Dry port system 65 3.5 ZALs, Distriparks, FTZs and FAZs. 70 3.6 Other strategies 77 3.7 Conclusions 82 CHAPTER 4. SATISFICING STRATEGY IN DEVELOPMENT OF VIET NAM ... 84 4.1 Impacts of economic development on port system and the ... 84 4.2 Enhancement of container ports 99 4.3 Dry port system 109 4.4 ZALs, Distriparks, and FTZs 120 4.5 Consideration of other strategies 129 4.6 Co-operation strategy in maritime industry: Viet Nam &#8211Korea ... 136 4.7 Conclusions 147 CHAPTER 5. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS 148 5.1 Conclusions 148 5.2 Suggestions 149 5.3 Future research 150 REFERENCES 15