Title: Capacity analysis of container terminals using simulation techniques

Authors: Shell Ying Huang, Wen-Jing Hsu, Chuanyu Chen, Rong Ye, Stuti Nautiyal

Addresses: School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Block N4, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798. ' School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Block N4, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798. ' School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Block N4, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798. ' School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Block N4, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798. ' School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Block N4, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798

Abstract: Simulation based analysis is particularly useful for designing new container terminals and evaluating the benefits of new resources or impacts of operation policies and modifications. We present a computer simulation model that integrates all the activities of a container terminal and captures the essential interactions among the subsystems which affect terminal capacity. The system incorporates methods to generate realistic vessel arrival patterns and can track the moves of millions of containers in a terminal. We further present case studies of the handling capacities of three container terminals in the Southeast Asia region, the issues involved, our approach and the findings.

Keywords: modelling; simulation; capacity analysis; container terminals; terminal capacity; logistics; vessel arrival patterns; container moves; container tracking; handling capacity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2008.021379

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2008 Vol.32 No.4, pp.246 - 253

Published online: 21 Nov 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article