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Real-time container storage location assignment at a seaport container transshipment terminal: dispersion levels, yard templates, and sensitivity analyses

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Abstract

We present the results of four experiments that link a seaport container terminal’s overall productivity to the system that automatically selects storage locations for export containers in real time as they enter the terminal. Experiment 1 introduces the concept of a container dispersion level and tests the performance of several dispersion levels at various terminals. Experiment 2 considers the math-programming-based yard template concept that has received much attention in recent years. By evaluating yard templates under simulated operating conditions, we provide a link between yard templates and overall terminal productivity that has been absent from previous studies. Experiments 3 and 4 examine how the vessel berthing policy and yard truck traveling speed affect the performance of the storage systems considered in Experiments 1–2. The experiments provide insight into options for real-time decision making at container terminals that is rare in that (1) performance is measured in overall terms and (2) detailed measures of performance for all entities—berths, vessels, groundslots, quay cranes, yard cranes, yard trucks, and containers—involved in every container’s complete lifetime at the terminal are provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA

    Matthew E. H. Petering

  2. Department of International Business and Asian Studies, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia

    Yong Wu

  3. Graduate School of International Management, International University of Japan, Niigata, Japan

    Wenkai Li

  4. NUS Business School, National University of Singapore, 1 Business Link, Singapore, 117592, Singapore

    Mark Goh

  5. The Logistics Institute-Asia Pacific, 21 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, #04-01, Singapore, 119613, Singapore

    Mark Goh & Robert de Souza

  6. Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2117, USA

    Katta G. Murty

Authors
  1. Matthew E. H. Petering
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  2. Yong Wu
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  3. Wenkai Li
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  4. Mark Goh
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  5. Robert de Souza
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  6. Katta G. Murty
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Correspondence to Matthew E. H. Petering.

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Petering, M.E.H., Wu, Y., Li, W. et al. Real-time container storage location assignment at a seaport container transshipment terminal: dispersion levels, yard templates, and sensitivity analyses. Flex Serv Manuf J 29, 369–402 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10696-016-9247-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10696-016-9247-5

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