Optimization of resources in a transshipment container terminal : strategic and operational perspectives

Abstract

With the robust growth in world container throughput during the last decade, every port operator is motivated to expand its business to attract more customers. In addition, to sustain its market position, a port should further develop its competitive edge to stay ahead of its competitor ports. Challenges arise when a port authority or port operator need to decide how to improve its competitive position by investing more resources in its infrastructure and enhancing the services provided to customers since the scope of such improvements may be diversified. In deciding on resource allocation, most of port authorities and port operators do not explicitly identify and address criteria used by customers in port selection and do not consider the reaction of other competitor ports toward their expansion and investments. Furthermore, the resource allocation process in the port does not typically consider feedback between the strategic and operational levels. This dissertation is concerned with the optimization of resources in a transshipment container terminal from both perspectives strategic and operational. We first analyze resource allocation strategies used by port authorities and container terminal operators to attract carriers from a strategic perspective. Then, we analyze the resource (mainly quay and yard cranes) allocation inside the port from an operational perspective during a transshipment process. A single ship berthing is considered during unloading of containers and an approach for optimizing the integrated allocation of quay cranes and yard cranes during such operations is proposed. An extension entails a tactical level approach that considers a multi-ship berthing scenario. Finally, we develop a proposed initial “link” between the operational and strategic levels.