A simulation model proposal to improve the productivity of container terminal operations through investment alternatives

Development of a container terminal (CT) closely deals with the efficiency of operating systems. This paper proposed a model to decide optimum investment alternatives to improve CT productivity. The proposed approach incorporates the parameters such as number of quay cranes, total length of a quay, yard trucks and yard cranes. The objectives of the model are minimizing the average ship turnaround time while maximizing the container throughput generated by the terminal. The methodology behind the model includes Discrete Event Simulation Model, data envelopment analysis (DEA) and cost-efficiency analysis. Considering container ship visits to Container Terminal Alpha (CT-A), the proposed model is demonstrated with 16 different investment scenario along with 10-months recorded operational data. The results addressed the Scenario LENG-2 (extent current total length of quays from 1.560 meters to 2.000 meters) as the optimal feasible solution for an investment in existing conditions. The model is also considered to besides contributions to investment decisions in CT, the developed framework might be extended to other transportation infrastructures.     

Modelling and optimisation of online container stacking with operational constraints

Container transportation plays a critical role in the global shipping network and container terminals need to improve their operations to increase efficiency. Storage yard of a container terminal is a temporary area where the containers stay until they are shipped to their next destination. We concentrate on increasing the efficiency of the storage yard by developing online stacking policies for each incoming container. An unproductive move of a container, performed to reach another container stored underneath, is called reshuffling. The objective in container stacking problem is to minimise the number of reshuffles, thereby increasing the efficiency of terminal operations. Additional weight-related operational constraints bring additional complexity to the online stacking decisions. We propose a mathematical model for the optimal online assignment of an incoming export, transit, import or empty container. We also propose an optimal online stacking policy and compare it with a random policy through simulation. Additionally, lower bounds for the performance measures are obtained through simulation by relaxing the operational constraints of the problem in a third stacking policy. We present and discuss the computational results in terms of four main performance measures.     

自动化码头可举升自动导引车(L-AGV)箱型检测方案

目前,L-AGV开始应用到新建的集装箱自动化码头,可靠的箱型检测系统是L-AGV安全高效作业的必要保障。针对当前自动化码头L-AGV箱型检测方案误动作频率高、对装卸效率影响大的问题,结合国内主流集装箱底面结构进行研究,对当前L-AGV箱型检测逻辑进行深入分析,并提出一套全新的箱位检测思路用以替代传统箱型检测方案。结果表明,当前检测逻辑无法适应L-AGV所遇到的全部工况,且检测效率较低;本文提出的检测方案能够有效避免传统箱型检测所遇到的问题,提高了检测效率,满足码头对安全和装卸效率日益严格的要求。     

3E集装箱船系泊缆绳布置模式优化

结合阿布扎比哈里发港二期工程,针对3E集装箱船展开集装箱码头作业效率研究,提出4种缆绳布置模式。基于系泊模拟分析研究,得到较优的缆绳布置模式L3,并给出其生存工况、作业工况下的风速分别为13.8 m s和10.1 m s。     

自动化集装箱码头堆场布置新模式

自动化集装箱堆场是自动化码头的重要组成部分。高效、合理地布置自动化集装箱堆场对码头综合通过能力、装卸效率和营运成本等将产生积极影响。在对国外典型自动化集装箱码头堆场在平面布置、设备选型和功能规划等方面分析的基础上,提出洋山四期全自动化集装箱码头堆场布局新模式。     

Factors influencing container carriers’ use of coastal shipping

Coastal shipping is one of the most sustainable and economically competitive modes of transportation. This study employs the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to determine the importance of various factors influencing container carriers’ use of coastal shipping. A three-level hierarchical structure with the 17 attributes is proposed and tested. A previous AHP survey in Taiwan has indicated that port policy and infrastructure is the most critical factor influencing the coastal shipping by container carriers followed by operational cost, operational strategy and operational efficiency. Overall, the results indicate that the five most important attributes influencing the use of coastal shipping are simplified customs procedures; leasing a dedicated terminal; transhipment time; a favourable port charge system and efficient terminal operations.     

自动化集装箱码头AGV维修功能区布局新模式及其应用

目前国外已建成的全自动化集装箱码头大部分采用自动引导车（AGV）作为水平运输设备。AGV在实现集装箱码头水平运输机械全自动化的同时,改变了传统码头设备维修模式,对码头总平面布局中机械维修功能区布局产生较大的影响。如何科学合理布置自动化集装箱码头的AGV维修区,成为提高码头运行效率和充分利用土地资源的关键问题。在总结分析国外典型自动化集装箱码头AGV维修功能区实际案例布置基础上,结合目前技术发展及港口整体发展要求,提出了几种新的布置方案,并在我国大型全自动化集装箱码头——洋山四期工程得到实际应用。     

A continuous berth template design model with multiple wharfs

ABSTRACT

Berth planning plays an important role in improving the efficiency of a container terminal. This study focuses on the berth template problem (BTP), which determines the berthing windows of the calling ships within a planning horizon (e.g. a week) in a cyclical way. As a mid-term tactical decision problem, BTP provides the decision support for a terminal operator to negotiate the contracts with the shipping lines. This study develops an integer programming (IP) model aiming to minimize the total deviation, given the ship-dependent target times preferred by the shipping lines. To validate the model and illustrate the benefits of its use, we perform a numerical experiment based on operational data of a specific container terminal in Southeast Asia. Two IP-based heuristic methods are developed to take into account the decision framework of terminal operators in reaction to demand increases. The experiment results indicate that the model and the solution approaches can enhance the resource utilization and operational efficiency of container terminals.     

Minimum Efficient Scale (MES) and preferred scale of container terminals

The decision on the scale of a port terminal affects the terminal’s managerial, operational and competitive position in all the phases of its life. It also affects competition structures in the port in which the terminal is operating, and has a potential impact on other terminals. Port authorities and terminal operators need to know the scale of the terminal when engaging in concession agreements. In economic theory the scale of a plant/firm is typically defined in relation to the Minimum Efficient Scale (MES), the long-run output where the internal economies of scale are fully exploited. However, there are a number of theoretical and empirical indications that in ports the scale of a terminal is commonly guided by a combination of the MES and other determining factors. The “preferred” scale is the result of a complex interaction between the MES, the port governance framework and objectives, the market size and structure, technological change and operational considerations, physical and geographical limitations, and the business patterns of shipping lines. This study analyses the factors resulting in a preferred container terminal scale that in most of the times is different from the MES. The analysis of the technical, market-related and governance-related factors is supported by theoretical and empirical insights that illustrate the presence of a range of actual ”preferred” scales of terminal concessions that usually are different, below or above, MES.     

基于离散事件系统仿真的集装箱码头布置规划研究

集装箱码头的规划布置涉及多种复杂的影响因素,是系统性设计和不断优化的过程.本研究采用eM-plant软件模拟集装箱码头备选方案的作业系统,并根据实时统计生成仿真数据库;采用专家调研法和层次分析法创建尽可能全面反映备选方案信息的评价指标体系,并赋予各评价指标不同的权重;结合码头作业系统仿真模拟运行的情况,综合运用层次分析...     

应用于三峡库区码头的浮式桥式集装箱起重机

为解决三峡库区水位落差大、装卸效率低的问题,提出浮式桥式集装箱起重机作业工艺方案。分析了内河斜坡式集装箱码头的现状和提高这类码头装卸效率的途径。阐述了浮式桥式集装箱起重机总体方案。探讨了开发浮式桥式集装箱起重机的一些关键问题。     

集装箱堆场箱区长度对码头作业效率的影响

通过分析集装箱码头作业流程,提出通过合理布置堆场箱区长度来提高码头作业效率的思路。基于计算机仿真技术,构建集装箱码头生产作业系统仿真模型,并通过案例研究堆场箱区长度及装卸设备数量对码头作业效率的影响。仿真结果表明：装卸设备数量不同时,最高的码头作业效率对应的箱区长度不同;且利用构建的仿真模型可以定量分析箱区长度及装卸设备数量对码头作业效率的影响,为集装箱码头规划和运营管理提供技术支持。     

超能力运行下港区内集装箱码头的博弈*

以上海外高桥港区集装箱码头为背景,构建超能力运行下同一港区内不同集装箱码头之间的博弈模型,通过逆向归纳法分析求解均衡收费和联盟利润,研究发现:与竞争博弈相比,集装箱码头联盟方都能收取相同并且较高的码头费用,其中部分联盟时联盟方的市场份额均为下降,而非联盟方的均衡收费、市场份额和利润均呈增加趋势。与完全联盟相比,部分联盟时联盟方收取的码头费用、市场份额和联盟利润皆为下降;非联盟方的均衡收费和利润也大幅降低,但市场份额却大幅增加,即同一港区集装箱码头博弈中真正的赢家是非联盟集装箱码头。     

船舶岸电系统在集装箱码头的应用

靠港船舶岸电系统具有可以减少污染物排放和提高能源利用率的优点,正在我国港口大力推广。为探讨岸电系统在集装箱码头的应用前景,以大窑湾北岸某集装箱码头为例,利用仿真模型核算多种情景下2020年大窑湾北岸集装箱码头船舶使用岸电前后的碳排放量,并分析不同装卸效率对船舶的碳排放的影响。结果表明,集装箱码头使用岸电系统可实现低碳效益,提高装卸效率有利于船舶碳排放的减少,但应考虑提高装卸效率会引起装卸机械碳排放增加。     

An energy-cost approach for evaluation of operating systems in container terminals

The planning, design and development of a container terminal with optimum size and capacity and with a minimum capital cost is fundamentally dependent upon the loading and discharging operations at the quayside. Achieving this purpose, terminal operators have to choose the best operating system in the container yard. The decision on which equipment is used at container terminals depends on several factors. The purpose of this study is to provide a new decision making tool using the first law of thermodynamics. It considers a port as a control volume of a fluid system and models the port and its traffic on it. The results of this study evaluate container yard operating systems and set up a basis for decision making to select the best alternatives.     

集装箱船舶作业效率的度量和比较

为吸引船舶挂靠,集装箱码头把船舶作业效率作为重要的追求目标之一。分析影响船舶作业效率的因素,介绍我国集装箱码头刷新船时作业效率记录的情况,指出宜以一段时间泊位作业效率、船时作业效率和岸边集装箱起重机作业效率的统计平均值作为集装箱码头作业效率的度量和比较指标。     

Examining the influence of firm performance on business risk-taking and the mediation effect of scale of operations in the container terminal industry

Container shipping and its related service sectors help accelerate globalization of the world economy. This industry has been experiencing rapid growth, prompting container terminal operators to increase their handling capacity in response. Providing container terminal services requires substantial capital investment in physical assets such as cargo handling facilities and information systems. On the other hand, operating container terminals is a long-term investment that typically spans several business cycles. Hence prudent asset management using appropriate tools is critical for container terminal operators to sustain their businesses. Generally, due to risk-adverseness, investors are unwilling to take more risk in their investment unless they can reap a higher return. Contrary to this argument, this study finds no direct influence of better firm performance as a proxy of higher return on business risk-taking by container terminal operators. Instead, scale of operations is positively associated with business risk-taking, suggesting that container terminal operators with a larger scale of operations are willing to take more business risk.     

集装箱码头设备更新投资优化模型及算法研究

为解决集装箱码头设备更新的合理投资问题,在综合考虑投资成本、平均单船装卸效率的基础上建立了集装箱码头设备更新投资混合整数规划模型;利用遗传算法与仿真相结合的方式构建了模型的求解算法;以某集装箱码头设备更新投资方案的优化为实例对模型及算法进行了验证.结果表明该模型综合考虑投资的成本和效益,对集装箱码头装卸设备的投资进行优化;模型的求解方法能够在兼顾码头实际投资效果的基础上提高全局搜索的效率.     

Developing a conceptual model for sharing container terminal resources: a case study of the Gamman container terminal

It is an important matter closely connected with saving logistics costs, as well as encouraging national competitive power, to improve the productivity of container terminals by efficient utilization of container terminal resources. In this respect, this paper tries to suggest a conceptual model for sharing container terminal resources, taking as a case study the Gamman Container Terminal (GCT) in the port of Pusan. In so doing, it identifies what kinds of resources can be systematically shared from the viewpoint of their common use and draws some problems resulting from terminal operation by four operators at GCT. The model does not imply the conception that each terminal has its own resources individually, but recommends that tentatively-called Container Terminal Resource Management Center (CTRMC) should be established and operated in order to save operation and investment costs and improve operational efficiency. In addition, the continuous acquisition and life-cycle support (CALS) concept is imbedded in the model so that it can control the supply and demand of resources efficiently by sharing the database, through which the CTRMC can automatically identify the status of the excess or deficit of a certain resource in each berth at GCT.     

传统集装箱港区堆场自动化改造模式研究

自动化轨道吊(ARMG)及自动化轮胎吊(ARTG)是自动化港区堆场设备的2个主要发展方向。为系统梳理传统港区改造为自动化港区所面临的技术难题,准确把握未来自动化港区发展方向,上海港在2个传统堆场利用局部箱区试验性地实施ARMG和ARTG改造项目。基于该项目实际运营数据,对ARMG及ARTG模式技术现状、发展趋势进行系统的梳理及研判,分析其与港区环境的互适条件,为传统集装箱港区改造为自动化集装箱港区提供理论参考。