Container Handling in Automated Yard Blocks: An Integrative Approach Based on Time Information

The yard block of a container terminal is the central point of synchronisation for asynchronous container flows between deep-sea vessels and transport to the hinterland. The structure of the block stipulates that containers are stacked on top of each other with only the topmost container directly accessible by a yard crane.  This book describes a holistic and integrative approach to container handling in yard blocks to optimise productivity by minimising re-handling operations. The results provide insights for academic scholars as well as for experts from practical terminal planning and operations. The approach presented is two-fold: first, a theoretical foundation of the interdependencies in decision-making is established using mathematical programming. Secondly, operations involving uncertain container arrival information are examined on the basis of a simulation with a rigorous experimental design and statistical evaluation. In this context, the book develops container-handling strategies and analyses the impact of a system for vehicle arrival management – the “Terminal Appointment System”. The findings presented in this book are the result of a close cooperation with experts at the port of Hamburg and build on previous research.

Book details

• Author: Filip Covic
• Publisher: Springer
• eText ISBN: 9783030052911
• Print ISBN: 9783030052904
• Format: Reflowable Layout
• Language: en
• Copyright: 2019