Title: A simulation model for decision support in Ro-Ro terminal operations

Authors: Yavuz Keceli; Selim Aksoy; Y. Volkan Aydogdu

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, Suleyman Sah University, Atalar Mah., Sehit Hakan Kurban Cad., No. 44, 34865, Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey ' Maritime Faculty, Istanbul Technical University, Postane Mah., Sahil Cad., 34940, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey ' Maritime Faculty, Istanbul Technical University, Postane Mah., Sahil Cad., 34940, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: Due to its convenience for integrating land and marine transportation roll on/roll off (Ro-Ro) ships are very important for offering smooth and flexible services required by the modern world of trade. Ro-Ro ships are able to load trucks or trailer directly via their ramps, thus no lifting equipment is necessary. A lot of seaports are equipped with necessary ramps to facilitate Ro-Ro ships. On the other hand, literature related to Ro-Ro terminal operations is scarce. Thus, this study aims to develop a simulation model for Ro-Ro terminal operations in order to provide a means for better decision making and resource allocation. The model is tested by using the data from a Ro-Ro terminal in Turkey. As a result, it was discovered that the maximum utilisation rate of one of the waiting areas exceeded its capacity, which shows that the model could be a useful tool in order to identify possible bottlenecks for the Ro-Ro terminal operations.

Keywords: Ro-Ro terminals; simulation; Arena; modelling; decision support; roll on-roll off ships; terminal operations; resource allocation; Turkey; bottlenecks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2013.054896

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2013 Vol.15 No.4, pp.338 - 358

Published online: 27 Sep 2013 *

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