OR Insight

, Volume 24, Issue 4, pp 256–275 | Cite as

Storage and stacking logistics problems in container terminals

  • Jiabin Luo
  • Yue Wu
  • Arni Halldorsson
  • Xiang Song
Original Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

In container terminal operations, the storage yard plays an important role for a terminal's overall performance because it links the seaside and landside and serves as the buffer area for storing containers. Therefore, storage and stacking logistics has become a field that increasingly attracts attentions in both academic and practical research during the recent years. The purpose of this article is to review and classify the growing literature on storage and stacking logistics, and to identify the research areas that could be further investigated. The literature in this area mainly falls into three categories: storage space allocation problem, design of optimal yard layout and container stacking logistics. This article is among the first known to review the literature focus on this area, it thus provides a new perspective for both managers and researchers on the issue of yard operations management.

Keywords

container storage container stacking yard operations 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. Bazzazi, M., Safaei, N. and Javadian, N. (2009) A genetic algorithm to solve the storage space allocation problem in a container terminal. Computers & Industrial Engineering 56: 44–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Bish, E.K. (2003) A multiple-crane-constrained scheduling problem in a container terminal. European Journal of Operational Research 144: 83–107.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Bish, E.K., Leong, T.Y., Li, C.L., Ng, J.W.C. and Simchi-Levi, D. (2001) Analysis of a new vehicle scheduling and location problem. Naval Research Logistics 48: 363–385.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. Chen, P., Fu, Z., Lim, A. and Rodrigues, B. (2003) The general yard allocation problem. Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference (GECCO-03), Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Springer-Verlag, pp. 1896–1997.Google Scholar
  5. Chen, T. (1999) Yard operations in the container terminal-a study in the ‘unproductive moves’. Maritime Policy & Management 26: 27–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. Cheung, R.K. and Chen, C.Y. (1998) A two-stage stochastic network model and solution methods for the dynamic empty container allocation problem. Transportation Science 32: 142–162.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. Crainic, T.G., Gendreau, M. and Dejax, P. (1993) Dynamic and stochastic models for the allocation of empty containers. Operations Research 41: 102–126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Dekker, R., Voogd, P. and Asperen, E. (2006) Advanced methods for container stacking. OR Spectrum 28: 563–568.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Glover, F. and Laguna, M. (1998) Tabu Search. United States of America: Kluwer Academic Publishers.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. Goldberg, D.E. (1989) Genetic Algorithms in Search, Optimization & Machine Learning. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.Google Scholar
  11. Günther, H.O. and Kim, K.H. (2006) Container terminals and terminal operations. OR Spectrum 28: 437–445.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Han, Y., Lee, L.H., Chew, E.P. and Tan, K.C. (2008) A yard storage strategy for minimizing traffic congestion in a marine container transhipment hub. OR Spectrum 30: 697–720.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. Higle, J.L. and Sen, S. (1999) Stochastic decomposition: An algorithm for two-stage linear programs with recourse. Mathematics of Operations Research 16: 650–669.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. Hirashima, Y. (2008) A Q-learning system for container transfer scheduling based on shipping order at container terminals. International Journal of Innovative Computing, Information and Control 4: 547–558.Google Scholar
  15. Hirashima, Y. (2009) A Q-learning system for container marshalling with group-based learning model at container yard terminals. Proceedings of the International Multiconference of Engineers and Computer Scientist, Vol. I, IMECS, 18–20 March 2009, Hong Kong, pp. 18–20.Google Scholar
  16. Hirashima, Y., Takeda, K., Deng, M. and Inoue, A. (2006) A Q-learning for group based plan of container transfer scheduling. The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, International Journal, Seriers C 49: 437–479.Google Scholar
  17. Holguin, J. and Jara-Diaz, S. (1999) Optimal pricing for priority service and space allocation in container ports. Transportation Research Part B 33: 81–106.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. Holguin-Veras, J. and Jara-Diaz, S. (2006) Preliminary insights into optimal pricing and space allocation at intermodal terminals with elastic arrivals and capacity constraint. Networks and Spatial Economics 6: 25–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. Hulten, L.A.R. (1997) Container logistics and its management. PhD thesis, Department of Transportation and logistics, Chalmers University of Technology.Google Scholar
  20. Jane, C.C. (2000) Storage location assignment in a distribution center. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management 30: 55–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. Kang, J., Ryu, K.R. and Kim, K.H. (2006) Deriving stacking strategies for export containers with uncertain weight information. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 17: 399–410.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. Kia, M., Shayan, E. and Ghotb, F. (2000) The importance of information technology in port terminal operations. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management 30: 331–344.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. Kim, K.H. (1997) Evaluation of the number of re-handles in container yards. Computers & Industrial Engineering 32: 701–711.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Kim, K.H. and Bae, J.W. (1998) Re-marshalling export containers in port container terminals. Computers & Industrial Engineering 35: 655–658.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  25. Kim, K.H. and Kim, H.B. (1998) The optimal determination of the space requirement and the number of transfer cranes for import containers. Computers & Industrial Engineering 35: 427–430.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  26. Kim, K.H. and Kim, K.Y. (2007) Optimal price schedules for storage of inbound containers. Transportation Research Part B 41: 892–905.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  27. Kim, K.H., Park, Y.M. and Jin, M.J. (2008) An optimal layout of container yards. OR Spectrum 30: 675–695.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. Kirkpatrick, S., Gelatt, C.D. and Vecchi, M.P. (1983) Optimization by simulated annealing. Science 13: 671–680.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  29. Kozan, E. and Preston, P. (2006) Mathematical modelling of container transfers and storage locations at seaport terminals. OR Spectrum 28: 519–537.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  30. Lee, B.W. and Kim, K.H. (2010) Optimizing the block size in container yards. Transportation Research Part E 46: 120–135.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  31. Lee, D.-H., Cao, J.X. and Shi, Q. (2008) Integrated model for truck scheduling and storage allocation problem at container terminal. Proceedings of the 87th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC.Google Scholar
  32. Lee, D.-H., Cao, J., Shi, Q. and Chen, J. (2009) A heuristic algorithm for yard truck scheduling and storage allocation problems. Transportation Research Part E 45: 810–820.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  33. Lee, L.H., Chew, E.P., Tan, K.C. and Han, Y. (2006) An optimization model for storage yard management in transhipment hubs. OR Spectrum 28: 539–561.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  34. Lee, Y. and Chao, S.L. (2009) A neighbourhood search heuristic for pre-marshalling export containers. European Journal of Operational Research 196: 468–475.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  35. Lee, Y. and Hsu, N.Y. (2007) An optimization model for the container pre-marshalling problem. Computers & Operations Research 34: 3295–3313.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  36. Leung, S., Wu, Y. and Lai, K.K. (2002) Stochastic models for dynamic empty container allocations. Fourth Asia Pacific Conference on Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, Taipei, Taiwan, pp. 18–20.Google Scholar
  37. Mangan, J., Lalwani, C. and Fynes, B. (2008) Port-centric logistics. International Journal of Logistics Management 19: 29–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  38. Murty, K.G. (2007) Yard crane pools and optimum layouts for storage yards of container terminals. Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering 1: 190–199.Google Scholar
  39. Nishimura, E., Imai, A., Janssens, G.K. and Papadimitriou, S. (2009) Container storage and transhipment marine terminals. Transportation Research Part E 45: 771–786.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  40. Panayides, P.M. and Song, D.W. (2008) Evaluating the integration of seaport container terminals in supply chains. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management 38: 562–584.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  41. Panayides, P.M. and Song, D.W. (2009) Port integration in global supply chains measures and implications for maritime logistics. International Journal of Logistics: Research and Applications 12: 133–145.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  42. Petering, M.E.H. (2009) Effect of block width and storage yard layout on marine container terminal performance. Transportation Research Part E 45: 591–610.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  43. Petering, M.E.H. and Murty, K.G. (2009) Effect of block length and yard crane deployment systems on overall performance at a seaport container transhipment terminal. Computers & Operations Research 36: 1711–1725.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  44. Saeed, N. and Larsen, O.I. (2010) An application of cooperative game among container terminals of one port. European Journal of Operational Research 203: 393–403.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  45. Stahlbock, R. and Voβ, S. (2008) Operations research at container terminals: A literature update. OR Spectrum 30: 1–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  46. Steeken, D., Voβ, S. and Stahlbock, R. (2004) Container terminal operation and operations research – A classification and literature review. OR Spectrum 26: 3–49.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  47. Vacca, I., Bierlaire, M. and Salani, M. (2007) Optimization at Container Terminals: Status, Trends and Perspectives. Report TRANSP-OR 071204, Transport and Mobility Laboratory, EPFL, Lausanne.Google Scholar
  48. Wan, Y.-W., Liu, J. and Tsai, P.-C. (2009) The assignment of storage locations to containers for a container stack. Naval Research Logistics 56: 699–713.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  49. Watanabe, I. (1991) Characteristics and analysis method of efficiencies of container terminal – An approach to the optimal loading/unloading method. Container Age March: 36–47.Google Scholar
  50. Zhang, C., Liu, J., Wan, Y.W., Murty, K.G. and Linn, R.J. (2003) Storage space allocation in container terminals. Transportation Research Part B 37: 883–903.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Operational Research Society 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Jiabin Luo
    • 1
  • Yue Wu
    • 1
  • Arni Halldorsson
    • 2
  • Xiang Song
    • 3
  1. 1.School of Management, University of SouthamptonHighfieldUK
  2. 2.Department of TechnologyManagement & Economics, Chalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
  3. 3.Department of MathematicsLogistics and Management Mathematics Group, University of PortsmouthPortsmouthUK

Personalised recommendations