Port activity simulation

Abstract

Port can be viewed as a complex system containing several entities with interfering attributes. The whole image is very complex and special care should be considered to model such systems.Several works for investigating, analysing evaluating and improving port activities are carried out, each of them is concerned with a specific area related to the port functions, the key tool for most of these works is the simulation.The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of a computer simulation program used as a management decision support tool helping in evaluating and improving the comprehensive port activities. The proposed simulation model consists from a statistical module, an input module, ship generator, cargo generator, ship operation planner, cargo handling equipment planner, warehouse controller, and the transportation means planner. All the planning and controlling modules related to ships, cargoes, warehousing and transportation means contain special optimizers the optimizers constitute operations research packages to be used whenever possible to optimize the specific process related to port operations.The computer model will have several output results; evaluating different port performance indicators, performing port improvement analysis, studying port expansion possibilities, estimating future view of the port and making an economic impact evaluation.

Analysis of the operations of an intermodal barge terminal

“…With respect to the operational planning of intermodal terminals, theory and practice suggest a wide variety of procedures, models and techniques. One technique often cited in the context of container terminals is simulation, a scientific methodology used to study complex environments (Hassan, 1993).…”

A Distributed Simulation Model of the Maritime Logistics in an Iron Ore Supply Chain Management

“…Specifically in the maritime logistics, simulation has been used for a long time in the study of port systems (Wadhwa, 1992;Hassan, 1993;Botter et al, 1998;Bugaric et al, 2012). Nonetheless, these studies are focused on dimensioning and planning port's capacity, while maritime logistics is a much more complex system that involves other components other than ports.…”

Determining loading dock requirements in production-distribution facilities under uncertainty

“…Giacaman, Medel, and Tabilo (2002) also used a simulation technique to determine the way a change in the size or capacity of loading and carrying fleet would affect the performance of the system. Hassan (1993) provided a fairly extensive survey of simulation models used in loading-unloading facility management in general and port design in particular. A more recent survey of operations research techniques such as queuing and simulation to optimize the logistics operations at a container terminal can be found in Steenken, Stefan, and Stahlbock (2005).…”