Title: A hierarchical taxonomy of decision-making models for container terminal operations

Authors: Dimitrios Tsitsamis, Dimitrios Vlachos, Eleftherios Iakovou, Christos Douligeris

Addresses: IT Department, Thessaloniki Port Authority, Thessaloniki 54110, Greece. ' Laboratory of Quantitative Analysis, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Industrial Management Division, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece. ' Laboratory of Quantitative Analysis, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Industrial Management Division, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece. ' Department of Informatics, University of Piraeus, Karaoli and Dimitriou 80, Piraeus 18534, Greece

Abstract: Managing container terminal operations in seaports is a cumbersome, complex and challenging problem. Given the importance of container traffic for international trade, it is surprising that this issue has been mostly tackled myopically. The problem involves a number of different criteria, such as faster discharge and loading of containers (vessel turnaround time), increased yard and equipment utilisation, and faster container turnaround time. In this article, we present a novel hierarchical framework that captures systematically the complexity in the decision-making process recognising its natural hierarchy (strategic, tactical and operational), the interdependencies among specific operations and the various forms of constraints including technological, spatial, temporal, monetary, and organisational as well as constraints imposed by the interests of various partners and customers of a port. We further emphasise and document the role of information technologies and management information systems solutions in implementing comprehensive policies.

Keywords: container terminals; decision support systems; DSS; hierarchical decision making; port logistics; port management; operations management; information technology; management information systems; MIS.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLEG.2008.023168

International Journal of Logistics Economics and Globalisation, 2008 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.365 - 382

Published online: 12 Feb 2009 *

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