Title: Understanding the complexity of container terminal operation through the development of system dynamics model

Authors: Jack Kie Cheng, Razman Mat Tahar, Chooi-Leng Ang

Addresses: Division of Physical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. ' Department of Technology Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. ' Division of Physical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia

Abstract: The competitiveness among container terminals is growing due to the positive growth of containerised shipping. The ability to provide efficient services very much depend on the overall efficiency of the container terminal. However, the operation of the container terminal is complex and consists of many subsystems such as the berth and yard. Moreover, the planning and decision making of the berth and yard are usually conducted separately, not as a whole. Therefore, with the lack of integration between these two major subsystems, terminal managers fail to see the impact of the decision made at the berth to the yard and vice versa. This paper presents the application of system dynamics simulation into capturing the operation processes of the berth and yard. The system dynamics model is able to enhance the understanding on the interdependency and relationship between these two subsystems, thus assisting the terminal managers in decision making.

Keywords: container terminals; system dynamics; simulation; microworlds; modelling; container berths; container yards; terminal management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2010.035503

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2010 Vol.2 No.4, pp.429 - 443

Published online: 30 Sep 2010 *

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