Port choice by intra-regional container service operators : an application of decision-making techniques to liner services between Malaysian and other Asian ports

Intra-regional container service operators are challenged to design regular and reliable liner services connecting regional ports at the lowest cost and shortest transit time while considering customer demand. This paper focuses on the selection of ports of call in regular intra-regional container services, an under-researched part of the container shipping market. A combination of decision-making techniques (i.e. Analytical Hierarchy Process, fuzzy link-based and Evidential Reasoning) are presented to assist intra-regional container service operators in selecting ports of call. The proposed methodology is empirically applied to container services between Malaysian and other nearby Asian ports. While Port Klang is the main gateway to Malaysia, the results show that other Malaysian ports should play a more prominent role in accommodating intra-Asian container services. This research can assist maritime stakeholders in evaluating intra-regional port-to-port liner service configurations. Furthermore, the novel mix of decision-making techniques complements and enriches existing academic literature on port choice and liner service configuration

Factors contributing to the imbalances of cargo flows in Malaysia large-scale minor ports using a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) approach

Malaysian ports have been recording imbalances in cargo flows year after year, whether in the form of a deficit or surplus, and the condition is becoming significant. As such, it has raised concerns among port stakeholders about the impact of such a situation on the sustainability of port operations, as well as questions about the actual reasons behind the occurrence, which is still ambiguous with regard to large-scale minor ports in Malaysia. This study was aimed at identifying the main factors that are contributing to the imbalanced cargo flows at large-scale minor ports in Malaysia by ranking all the possible factors using a systematic decision-making technique known as FAHP. The results showed that “economic factors” are the main contributors to these imbalances, followed by several other factors. This study contributes a clear insight into the main factors that are causing the imbalances in cargo flows at large-scale minor ports in Malaysia. Also, it may assist decision-makers and policymakers in identifying the key factors that are affecting business operations at these ports as well as guide them into using a systematic analytical approach like the FAHP to evaluate other situations with regard to the business, operations and management of ports, where applicable

The sustainable port classification framework for enhancing the port coordination system

The port classification framework is not only beneficial for highlighting the background of the ports, but can also be utilized in the benchmarking and comparison of port coordination systems. In Malaysia, the lack of concrete justifications in the existing port classification process had resulted in a debatable framework of port classification development and consequently, confusion among the port stakeholders. As such, this study is conducted with the aim of revising the Malaysian ports’ classification framework according to the global perspective of a sustainable port classification framework through the enhancement of its national port coordination system. By using a qualitative approach of descriptive analysis, the background of the port classification systems was not only analysed according to the Malaysian and global perspectives, the segregation of three different ports classes was also emphasized in the enhancement of the country's port coordination system. Apart from being a comprehensive reference that aids the academicians and stakeholders in the improvement of the existing loopholes in the Malaysian port coordination system, this paper had also offered a sustainable classification framework guideline for decision and policy-makers in the expansion of port competitiveness through a reclassification of the national port operations

Evaluation of delay factors on dry bulk cargo operation in Malaysia: a case study of Kemaman Port

There are various types of delay factors that could affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the dry bulk cargo operation, especially in port. Hence, it raises the concerns of the stakeholders, as some of them can significantly affect their actual transport plans and cost them extra money to handle the cargo. Due to uncertainty of the most significant delay factor in some Malaysia's dry bulk ports, therefore, this study aims to evaluate the most significant delay factors that causing delays in dry bulk cargo operation by using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method. This study found that the factor of ‘Miscellaneous’ is the most significant factor that contributed to the most of delay creations in dry bulk cargo operation in Kemaman port. Meanwhile, sub-criterion of ‘Foul weather and tide prediction’ is selected as the most significant sub-cause of delay creation in similar port. This study contributes the practical technique and valuable findings to the port and its stakeholders, where it may alert the them to measure the factors that affect their operational performance and business. Also, it introduces the usage of practical and systematical analysis technique for assisting the seaport operator or interested parties in analyzing the potential contributors of a condition in the port settings

An Empirical Study on the Current Feeder Shipping Network Patterns among Malaysian Feeder Service Providers

Route network patterns have been investigated globally by many researchers, with the majority of studies only focussing on the liner shipping industry for long-distance services, and with less attention paid to the feeder services industry. The feeder services industry is important to enhance the economic sustainability and viability of feeder service providers and trade partners. The primary objectives of this paper were to study the focal economy points of feeder services in Malaysia and to demonstrate the type of network patterns practised by Malaysian feeder service providers. Accordingly, an empirical study was conducted through the cooperation of eight Malaysian feeder service providers via face-to-face interviews and port visits to understand the patterns of each shipping route deployed. Moreover, to demonstrate the network patterns of each feeder service provider, a route network model was designed. The main finding from this study found that Port Klang was the primary feeder hub port and focal economy point in Malaysia due to the highest number of feeder vessels entering the port. Furthermore, the type of route patterns applied by Malaysian feeder service providers were determined and categorised based on three models: 75% (basic model), 17.5% (butterfly model), and 7.5% (chain model) collected data consisting of 40 service routes. This paper will assist future and existing feeder service providers in their planning and execution of the optimal service routes regarding their efficiency in servicing existing and future customers and promoting strategic and tactical allocation of shipping services to specific ports

A Review of Entomopathogenic Nematodes as a Biological Control Agent for Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a severe pest of palm trees worldwide. The development and feeding activities of R. ferrugineus larvae inside the trunk damage palm trees. However, the absence of noticeable infestation signs at an early stage contributes to the spread of the attack. Integrated pest management (IPM) has been introduced to control R. ferrugineus infestation by implementing various approaches and techniques. The application of chemical pesticides has shown impressive results. However, biological control should be applied as an alternative solution due to adverse environmental impacts and pest resistance issues. One example is the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biological control agents, which can forage and attack targeted pests without compromising the environment and other nontarget organisms. EPNs and their symbiotic bacteria have a mutualistic interaction that can kill the host within a short period of time. Therefore, this review emphasizes the effectiveness of entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria against R. ferrugineus

Aircraft trajectory optimization during descent using a Kriging-model-based-genetic algorithm

A time-series flight trajectory technique was developed for use in a civil aircraft during descent. The three-degree-of-freedom (3-DoF) equations of motion were solved via time-series prediction of aerodynamic forces. In the present evaluation, the microburst effect during the descent was considered. The single-objective optimization problem, in which the cost function indicating the trajectory efficiency was minimized, was solved by means of a Kriging model based genetic algorithm (GA) which produces an efficient global optimization process. The optimal trajectory results were compared with those without the microburst condition during the descent. The minimization solution converged well in each case for both conditions plus the differences in flight profiles based on the trajectory history were smaller than those of the solutions before optimization. An analysis of variance and parallel coordinate plot were applied to acquire the quantitative information for the initial condition of descend. The results revealed that the aerodynamic control factors, such as elevators angle and angles of attack, were effective for the minimization of the cost function when microburst is in effective range. According to the visualization results, it was found that a higher airspeed and a larger aerodynamic control by initial elevator were effective for minimizing the cost function when microburst has appeared. It shows that the developed model produced efficient global optimization and can evaluate the aircraft trajectory under the descent situation successfully

Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Hybrid Carbon Nanotubes-Woven Glass Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Laminated Composites via the Electrospray Deposition Method

Herein, the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the mechanical and dielectric performance of hybrid carbon nanotube-woven glass fiber (GF) reinforced epoxy laminated composited are investigated. CNTs are deposited on woven GF surface using an electrospray deposition method which is rarely reported in the past. The woven GF deposited with CNT and without deposited with CNT are used to produce epoxy laminated composites using a vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding. The tensile, flexural, dielectric constant and dielectric loss properties of the epoxy laminated composites were then characterized. The results confirm that the mechanical and dielectric properties of the woven glass fiber reinforced epoxy laminated composited increases with the addition of CNTs. Field emission scanning electron microscope is used to examine the post damage analysis for all tested specimens. Based on this finding, it can be prominently identified some new and significant information of interest to researchers and industrialists working on GF based products

Proceedings of International Technical Postgraduate Conference 2022

This conference proceedings contains articles on the various research ideas of the academic & research communities presented at the International Technical Postgraduate Conference 2022 (TECH POST 2022) that was held at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 24-25 September 2022. TECH POST 2022 was organized by the Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya. The theme of the conference is “Embracing Innovative Engineering Technologies Towards a Sustainable Future”.  TECH POST 2022 conference is intended to foster the dissemination of state-of-the-art research from five main disciplines of Engineering: Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. The objectives of TECH POST 2022 are to bring together innovative researchers from all engineering disciplines to a common forum, promote R&D activities in Engineering, and promote the dissemination of scientific knowledge and research know-how between researchers, engineers, and students. Conference Title: International Technical Postgraduate Conference 2022Conference Acronym: TECH POST 2022Conference Date: 24-25 September 2022Conference Location: Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (Hybrid Mode)Conference Organizers: Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia