Evaluating seaport policy alternatives: a simulation study of terminal leasing policy and system performance

The competitive characteristics of the North American seaport industry have, in theory, been causally linked to excess investment and low terminal throughput productivity. This paper empirically examines the link between seaport authority container terminal leasing policy and throughput productivity. Recent advances in inventory theory applied to service industries suggest the pooling of demand uncertainty can yield lower costs without sacrificing customer service. This concept is applied to a container seaport using simulation. The effort compares key output measures from a realistic base case model of the seaport to those generated by an alternative terminal leasing policy. It is shown that the pooling of demand in a common-user seaport reduces total vessel time in port by 17.1% with no reduction in TEU throughput. Throughput productivity is improved for the highest capacity terminals, while lower capacity terminals are made available for additional users or alternative uses.     

A break-even model for evaluating the cost of container ships waiting times and berth unproductive times in automated quayside operations

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. The quayside function of container terminals is dependent basically on the number of berths available to service the incoming container ships. The objective of the container terminals dealing and admitting the ongoing ship calls is to provide immediate berth and loading and discharging services to the container ships with a minimum costly waiting time and a maximum efficiency. Previously terminal planners used to build extra berths to provide service. During the last two decades the terminal operators have adopted automation technologies in loading and discharging operation of the container ships as an alternative to designing extra berths. Ship owners naturally expect least waiting times for their container ships. On the other hand, it is also natural for port operators in a container terminal with costly facilities to see a high berth occupancy and productivity at the quayside. This study uses queuing theory to find a break-even point as a way of evaluating the cost of container ship waiting times and the cost of berth unproductive service times for container terminals aiming to automate their quayside operation. The analysis illustrates that automation devices installed on conventional Quayside Cranes (QSCs) significantly reduce the turnaround time of the container ships calling at the ports. It argues, however, that there should be a balance between the cost of berth unproductive service times and the cost of vessel waiting times. The study introduces a break-even point to be considered as a benchmark for calculating such a balance. The analysis in this study can be used as a decision tool for the operators of container terminals in the medium to small ports to appraise the feasibility of an investment in automation or expansion of the quayside facilities.     

集装箱码头合理吞吐能力探讨

本文通过对盐田和蛇口两大集装箱码头的实际调研,论述超负荷运营状态所带来的负面影响,并在调研的基础上选取合理的核算参数,结合计算机仿真模拟计算,最终得出泊位的合理吞吐能力,并对集装箱码头实际完成吞吐量与吞吐能力之间存在差异的原因进行分析,最终提出港口建设规划的原则和思路。     

The relations between dry port characteristics and regional port-hinterland settings: findings for a global sample of dry ports

This paper aims at defining generic characteristics of dry ports by carrying out an analysis using a large sample of dry ports from around the world. The dataset includes details on 107 inland terminals worldwide. All dry ports in the database have been selected from studies in the extant literature before being shortlisted to fit our research scope. Data collected include terminologies used, actors driving the development, terminal throughput, total area, services provided and the relation with the corresponding seaport(s). Using statistical analysis, the paper examines how dry port parameters are influenced by (1) a different terminal set up, like sea-driven and land-driven development, developed and developing system, dry port functions; (2) specifications of the seaport with which the dry port is connected, i.e. seaport traffic, connectivity, utilization, etc. and (3) the transport leg linking dry ports and seaports. The findings could be applied to the planning and development of inland nodes from the perspectives of different stakeholders.     

The decline of the U.K. merchant fleet: an assessment of government policies in recent years—a rejoinder to Goss's comment

In recent years, the Hong Kong port has been challenged by the emergence of the Shenzhen port. This gives rise to a concern that the high terminal handling charges (THC) levied by the Hong Kong terminal operators are undermining the competitiveness of the Hong Kong port. As the major container terminals in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen are operated by the Hong Kong terminal operators, the monopoly power of these operators is commonly believed to be the cause of the high THC in Hong Kong. The theoretical model developed in this study shows that the trigger point mechanism (TPM) used by the Hong Kong Government to control the supply of terminal capacity may be a source of such monopoly power. Two possible scenarios are considered in the model—Scenario 1 in which expansion of capacity is unconstrained (i.e. the Shenzhen port); and Scenario 2 in which expansion of capacity is constrained by TPM (i.e. the Hong Kong port). Under TPM, the Hong Kong Government commits not to grant the right to build new container terminals unless and until the demand for container handling services exceeds the current capacity by a certain amount, which provides the incumbent operators incentives to invest preemptively in excess capacity in order to block the entry of potential entrants. This model is supported by the empirical findings from this study. The results from this study suggest an urgent need for the Hong Kong Government to overhaul the current port development policy as a part of the effort to promote economic integration between Hong Kong and the Mainland China.     

Throughput estimation based port development and management policies analysis

With the rapid growth of seaborne commodity trades, port development and management has become a challenging issue to the government, enterprise and academia. To alleviate pressures on spatial demand and the environment, sustainable development and scientific management of a port is of crucial importance for its investment, construction and operation. In this article, a research path based on throughput estimation is proposed. The container port of Tianjin could expect to face immense, increasing pressure in the future several years. To meet future increasing capacity requirement, constructing new waterway and berths in a bigger contiguous area or new locations becomes a crucial strategy. Moreover, the strategy of accommodating peak seasonal traffic means existing container terminals have to attain higher output by redesigning their high-precision schedule, reconfiguring terminal topology, improving worker efficiency and employing more modern container-handling facilities.     

The impact of dry port operations on container seaports competitiveness

The concepts of intermodal logistics and distribution networks have made integration of the inland freight distribution system essential for an efficient container seaport system. Inland components, such as dry ports, which exist within the seaport system, have become important in shaping the performance and competitive strategies of container seaports. Owing to the importance of interdependence between dry ports and container seaports, this paper aims to investigate the impact of dry port operations on container seaport competitiveness. It conducted an empirical study in Malaysia through 120 online surveys to key stakeholders of dry ports, including freight forwarders, shippers, seaports, rail operator, shipping lines, and haulers. The data collected were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The results from EFA show that Malaysian dry port operations have impacts on seaport competitiveness. These include enhancing seaport performance, increasing service variations for seaports, improving seaport-hinterland proximity, increasing seaport trade volume, and enhancing seaport capacity.     

2006年上海港作业集装箱特点分析

分析了上海港作业集装箱的特点,包括吞吐量的发展变化历程、2006年吞吐量流向、标准箱折算系数、港口码头生产的不平衡性、码头生产率等.     

基于模拟减少集装箱船待港时间的实用方法(英文)

The main challenge for container ports is the planning required for berthing container ships while docked in port.Growth of containerization is creating problems for ports and container terminals as they reach their capacity limits of various resources which increasingly leads to traffic and port congestion.Good planning and management of container terminal operations reduces waiting time for liner ships.Reducing the waiting time improves the terminal’s productivity and decreases the port difficulties.Two important keys to reducing waiting time with berth allocation are determining suitable access channel depths and increasing the number of berths which in this paper are studied and analyzed as practical solutions.Simulation based analysis is the only way to understand how various resources interact with each other and how they are affected in the berthing time of ships.We used the Enterprise Dynamics software to produce simulation models due to the complexity and nature of the problems.We further present case study for berth allocation simulation of the biggest container terminal in Iran and the optimum access channel depth and the number of berths are obtained from simulation results.The results show a significant reduction in the waiting time for container ships and can be useful for major functions in operations and development of container ship terminals.     

基于计算机仿真技术的大型原油接卸码头通过能力研究

依托广东省某大型原油接卸码头工程实例,系统分析影响大型原油接卸码头通过能力的影响因素,对原油船舶从到达锚地、进入航道、靠泊作业、卸油作业、离泊作业以及船舶离港避风避浪等船舶的全过程进行详细建模,在考虑潮汐、风浪雾、航道管制规则等影响因素的基础上,建立了大型原油接卸码头港航系统仿真模型,并基于港口服务水平评价指标对码头合理通过能力进行科学论证,为大型原油码头的建设提供科学参考。     

集装箱码头设计吞吐能力参数选择的实证研究

介绍集装箱码头设计吞吐能力计算公式中各参数的规范取值 ,通过对深圳主要集装箱码头吞吐能力的实证分析 ,对设计参数的取值范围进行修正 ,在此基础上重新核算深圳主要集装箱码头设计吞吐能力 ,并进行灵敏度分析 ,其结果符合深圳各集装箱码头的运作现实。     

珠三角集装箱码头发展与香港关系的定量论述

针对不同层面关注珠三角集装箱码头发展与香港的关系,从香港、深圳港和广州港等集装箱运输发展现状及关系着手,结合广东省外贸集装箱生成量和珠江三角洲集装箱码头规划和建设情况,在不同情景下以顺向和逆向思维预测和定量分析香港与珠三角集装箱码头吞吐量之间的互补关系,探索它们之间共同繁荣、协调发展的平衡点.     

集装箱码头物流系统的仿真建模技术

集装箱码头物流系统是一个复杂的离散事件动态系统。本文基于离散事件动态系统理论,研究建 立了集装箱码头物流系统的装卸流程模型和道路交通模型。该模型主要用来分析评价规划建设中的或正在使用 中的集装箱码头的生产能力,识别系统中的瓶颈,提出改进策略,优化码头物流方案。模型已在多个码头建设项目 中应用。     

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.     

Which terminals should expand investment: a perspective of internal non-cooperative competition in a port?

ABSTRACT

With the increasing container cargo throughput and the arising of port congestion, container ports start to choose the investment expansion strategy to increase the port efficiency and then to figure out the problem of port congestion. To analyze this strategy, we formulate a non-cooperative game model for a two-terminals-one-port system, and derive the optimal equilibrium outcomes of the investment expansion strategy and investment constant strategy. In the game, we find that when the investment parameter of expansion strategy and impact of handling efficiency on demand changes, both pure-strategy Nash equilibrium and mixed-strategy Nash equilibrium exist, and two terminals are more likely to choose the investment expansion strategy in most cases. Numerical simulation is applied to explore the equilibrium strategy under different circumstance.     

“零翻箱”自动化立体堆场设计与码头总体布局

集装箱码头是内外贸集装箱货物的集疏运中心,码头的吞吐能力受堆场容量和作业效率的影响。针对集装箱码头堆场的翻箱倒箱问题,基于整个立体库场内每层堆场仅堆放一层重箱的理念,通过AI设计、情景假设、公式推算和数据分析的方法,设计出一项自动化立体堆场方案,并介绍各核心设备和功能区以及作业流程。结果表明,本方案可实现真正意义上“零翻箱”,同时能减少机械设备的配置、使用成本和碳排放量,有利于提升码头作业效率、吞吐能力和经济效益,有助于增强码头和港口企业竞争力。     

基于聚类分析的码头通过能力类型化研究

通过对国外主要集装箱码头运营情况和通过能力的调查研究,引入基于柔性靠泊方式的港口码头百米岸线通过能力作为评价指标,选取影响码头岸线通过能力的主要因素,运用聚类分析法将所选集装箱码头分为3类,分析研究其码头岸线通过能力指标,得出在柔性靠泊方式下各类集装箱码头岸线通过能力指标的特征区间.     

‘Tool port’ to ‘landlord port’: a game theory approach to analyse gains from governance model transformation

This study investigates potential port users’ surplus and terminal operators’ profits due to transforming port governance from the ‘tool port’ model to the ‘landlord port’ model. Although the landlord port model is one of the most adopted and successful port governance models, many ports still operate under other models. Chittagong Port, the largest port in Bangladesh, currently operates under the tool port model, while the country’s second-largest port, Mongla Port, operates under the service port model. Chittagong Port is currently facing many challenges, including capacity expansion and renovation of port facilities. Therefore, we form four hypothetical situations for port governance model transformation, assuming that Chittagong Port will transform to the landlord port model but that Mongla Port will run under the existing governance model. Estimating a Bertrand game model, we present a cost-benefit analysis for port users and terminal operators (or port authorities) in hypothetical game situations. The results reveal that privatising one of the container terminals under a landlord setting is the most profitable scenario for Chittagong Port Authority, but privatising all terminals of Chittagong Port yields the highest users’ surplus. However, privatising two of the terminals while they cooperate yields the lowest users’ surplus.     

Pricing policy and operational controls in container terminals

Following a general discussion on port pricing policies and structures the author explores the argument that price in itself provides an inadequate focus of needs and preferences of port users, especially users of container terminals, and suggests a system of input pricing related to the sale of terminal capability on a time basis.     

Logistics resources in seaport performance: multi-criteria analysis

Studying the logistics resource relationship within the framework of the overall performance of the main Iberian seaports performance, this article discusses how to apply the linear additive multi-criteria analysis (MCA) model and principal component analysis (PCA) to such an industry. The model incorporates the contribution of two different performance indicators—operational performance and physical capacity—measured by several indicators. First, we gather the 2009 annual data on the total cargo throughput of 16 seaport container terminals. The PCA method is then applied to attain the loading factor of each indicator and to normalize the redundancy in indicators and thereby generate meaningful results. We correspondingly find (a) operational performance contributed 48.77% while the physical capacity contributed 51.23% to overall performance; (b) the majority of seaports reveal a direct proportionality between their positioning in terms of physical capacity and their overall performance positioning; (c) this relationship changes whenever the difference in indicator value proves significant; and hence (d) this model demonstrates both its applicability and reliability in the case of the Iberian seaport industry and the relevance of encouraging multiple decision-makers to carefully consider identifying key criteria out of a given set of alternatives.