A Simulation Modeling Approach for Optimization of Storage Space Allocation in Container Terminal
Container handling problems at container terminals
are NP-hard problems. This paper presents an approach using
discrete-event simulation modeling to optimize solution for storage
space allocation problem, taking into account all various interrelated
container terminal handling activities. The proposed approach is
applied on a real case study data of container terminal at Alexandria
port. The computational results show the effectiveness of the
proposed model for optimization of storage space allocation in
container terminal where 54% reduction in containers handling time
in port is achieved.
[1] Zhuo Sun, Loo Hay Lee, Ek Peng Chew, Kok Choon Tan, “MicroPort:
A general simulation platform for seaport container terminals”,
Advanced Engineering Informatics, vol.26, pp. 80-89, 2012.
[2] Erhan Kozan and Peter Preston, “Mathematical modelling of container
transfers and storage locations at seaport terminals”, OR Spectrum, vol.
28, no.4, pp. 519-537, 2006.
[3] S. Sacone and S. Siri, "An integrated simulation-optimization framework
for the operational planning of seaport container terminals",
Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems, vol.15,
no. 3, , pp. 275-293, 2009
[4] H. Javanshir, S. R. Seyedalizadeh Ganji., "Yard crane scheduling in port
container terminals using genetic algorithm", Journal of Industrial and
Systems Engineering, vol. 6, no. 11, pp. 39-50, 2010.
[5] Q. Zeng and Z. Yang. "Integrating simulation and optimization to
schedule loading operations in container terminals". Computers and
Operations Research, vol. 36, pp. 1935-1944, 2009.
[6] Gamal Abd El-Nasser, Abeer M. Mahmoud and El-Sayed M. El-
Horbaty, "Simulation and optimization of container terminal operations:
a case study", International Journal of Computer Science Engineering
and Information Technology Research (IJCSEITR) , vol. 4, no. 4, pp.
85-94, 2014.
[7] W.C. Ng and K.L. Mak, "Yard crane scheduling in port container
terminals", Applied Mathematical Modeling, vol.29, no.3, pp. 263-276,
2005.
[8] Jula H., Dessouky M., Ioannou P. and Chassiakos A., “Container
movement by trucks in metropolitan networks: modeling and
optimization”, Transportation Research Part, vol. 41, no.3, pp. 235–259,
2005.
[9] Peng YANG. Junqing SUN, Wenying YUE, "A Novel Genetic
Algorithm for Multiple Yard Cranes Scheduling", Journal of
Computational Information Systems, vol. 9, no. 14, pp. 5761- 5769,
2013.
[10] G. Ilati, A. Sheikholeslami and E. Hassannayebi, "A Simulation-Based
Optimization Approach for Integrated Port Resource Allocation
Problem", scientific Journal on Traffic and Transportation
Research, vol. 26, no.3, pp. 243- 255, 2014.
[11] Lixin Tang, Jiao Zhao, and Jiyin Liu, “Modeling and solution of the
joint quay crane and truck scheduling problem”, European Journal of
Operational Research, vol. 236, pp.978-990, 2014.
[12] Laria Vacca, Michel Bierlaire and Matteo Salani, “Optimization at
Container Terminals: Status, Trends and Perspectives”, 7th Swiss
Transport Research Conference, 2007.
[13] R Stahlbock and S Voß, "Operations research at container terminals: a
literature update", OR Spectrum vol.30, no.1, pp.1-52, 2008.
[14] Mohammad. B, Nima. S, Nikbakhsh. J, "A genetic algorithm to solve the
storage space allocation problem in a container terminal", Computers &
Industrial Engineering, vol. 56, no.1, pp. 44–52, 2009.
[15] K.L. Mak and D. Sun., "Scheduling Yard Cranes in a Container
Terminal Using a New Genetic Approach", Engineering Letters, vol. 17,
no. 4, pp.274, 2009.
[16] Azmi Alazzam and Harold W. Lewis, "A New Optimization Algorithm
For Combinatorial Problems", (IJARAI) International Journal of
Advanced Research in Artificial Intelligence, vol. 2, no.5, pp.63-68,
2013.
[17] Pasquale Legat, Rina Mary Mazza, Roberto Trunfio, "Simulation for
performance evaluation of the housekeeping process". Proceedings of
the Winter Simulation Conference, pp. 2717-2725, 2012.
[18] Gamal Abd El-Nasser, Abeer M. Mahmoud and El-Sayed M. El-
Horbaty, "A Comparative Study of Meta-heuristic Algorithms for
Solving Quadratic Assignment Problem", (IJACSA) International
Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, ISSN: 2156-
5570, Vol. 5, No.1, 2014.
[19] D. Steenken, S. VoB, and R. Stahlbock. "Container terminal operation
and operations research - a classification and literature review". OR
Spectrum, vol. 26, pp. 3-49, 2004.
[20] Phatchara Sriphrabu, Kanchana Sethanan, and Banchar Arnonkijpanich.,
"A Solution of the Container Stacking Problem by Genetic Algorithm ".
International Journal of Engineering and Technology, vol. 5, no. 1, pp.
45-49, 2013.
[21] S. Y. Huang, W. J. Hsu, C. Chen, R. Ye and S. Nautiyal, "Capacity
Analysis of Container Terminals Using Simulation Techniques",
International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, vol. 32,
no. 4, pp. 246-253, 2008. [22] Cordeau, J. F., M. Gaudioso, G. Laporte and L. Moccia, "The service
allocation problem at the Gioia Tauro maritime terminal", European
Journal of Operational Research, vol. 176, pp. 1167-1184, 2007.
[23] M. Rodriguez-Molins, M. A. Salido, and F. Barber, “Intelligent planning
for allocating containers in maritime terminals”, Expert Systems with
Applications, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 978–989, 2012.
[24] Bradley Skinner, Shuai Yuan, Shoudong Huang, Dikai Liu, Binghuang
Cai, Gamini Dissanayake, Haye Lau, Andrew Bott, and Daniel Pagac,
"Optimisation for job scheduling at automated container terminals using
genetic algorithm", Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol.64, no.1,
pp.511–523, 2012.
[25] Jiabin Luo, Yue Wu, Arni Halldorsson and Xiang Song, "Storage and
stacking logistics problems in container terminals", OR Insight,
vol.24, pp.256–275, 2011.
[26] I. Ayachi , R. Kammarti , M. Ksouri and P. Borne, "A Genetic algorithm
to solve the container storage space allocation problem", International
conference on Computational Intelligence and Vehicular System (CIVS),
Cheju, Republic of Korea, November 22-23, 2010.
[27] Miguel A. Salido, Mario Rodriguez-Molins, and Federico Barber, "A
Decision Support System for Managing Combinatorial Problems in
Container Terminals", Knowledge-Based Systems, Vol.29, pp.63-74,
2012.
[28] Armando Carten and Stefano de Luca, "Tactical and strategic planning
for a container terminal: Modelling issues within a discrete event
simulation approach", Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, vol.21,
pp.123-145, 2012.
[29] Mariam Kotachi, Ghaith Rabadi, and Mohammad F. Obeid, "Simulation
Modeling and Analysis of Complex Port Operations with Multimodal
Transportation", Procedia Computer Science, vol.20, pp.229-234, 2013.
[30] Yiqin Lu and Meilong Le, "The integrated optimization of container
terminal scheduling with uncertain factors", Computers & Industrial
Engineering, vol.75, pp.209-216, 2014.
[31] K. H. Kim, Y-M. Park, and M.-J. Jin, “An optimal layout of container
yards,” OR Spectrum, vol. 30, pp. 675-695, 2007.
[32] Han, Y., Lee, L.H., Chew, E.P. and Tan, K.C., “A yard storage strategy
for minimizing traffic congestion in a marine container transshipment
hub”, OR Spectrum, vol.30.pp. 697–720, 2008.
[33] Flexsim software products inc.: www.flexsim.com.
[34] Alexandria Container terminal: www.alexcont.com (accessed 1/9/2014).
[1] Zhuo Sun, Loo Hay Lee, Ek Peng Chew, Kok Choon Tan, “MicroPort:
A general simulation platform for seaport container terminals”,
Advanced Engineering Informatics, vol.26, pp. 80-89, 2012.
[2] Erhan Kozan and Peter Preston, “Mathematical modelling of container
transfers and storage locations at seaport terminals”, OR Spectrum, vol.
28, no.4, pp. 519-537, 2006.
[3] S. Sacone and S. Siri, "An integrated simulation-optimization framework
for the operational planning of seaport container terminals",
Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems, vol.15,
no. 3, , pp. 275-293, 2009
[4] H. Javanshir, S. R. Seyedalizadeh Ganji., "Yard crane scheduling in port
container terminals using genetic algorithm", Journal of Industrial and
Systems Engineering, vol. 6, no. 11, pp. 39-50, 2010.
[5] Q. Zeng and Z. Yang. "Integrating simulation and optimization to
schedule loading operations in container terminals". Computers and
Operations Research, vol. 36, pp. 1935-1944, 2009.
[6] Gamal Abd El-Nasser, Abeer M. Mahmoud and El-Sayed M. El-
Horbaty, "Simulation and optimization of container terminal operations:
a case study", International Journal of Computer Science Engineering
and Information Technology Research (IJCSEITR) , vol. 4, no. 4, pp.
85-94, 2014.
[7] W.C. Ng and K.L. Mak, "Yard crane scheduling in port container
terminals", Applied Mathematical Modeling, vol.29, no.3, pp. 263-276,
2005.
[8] Jula H., Dessouky M., Ioannou P. and Chassiakos A., “Container
movement by trucks in metropolitan networks: modeling and
optimization”, Transportation Research Part, vol. 41, no.3, pp. 235–259,
2005.
[9] Peng YANG. Junqing SUN, Wenying YUE, "A Novel Genetic
Algorithm for Multiple Yard Cranes Scheduling", Journal of
Computational Information Systems, vol. 9, no. 14, pp. 5761- 5769,
2013.
[10] G. Ilati, A. Sheikholeslami and E. Hassannayebi, "A Simulation-Based
Optimization Approach for Integrated Port Resource Allocation
Problem", scientific Journal on Traffic and Transportation
Research, vol. 26, no.3, pp. 243- 255, 2014.
[11] Lixin Tang, Jiao Zhao, and Jiyin Liu, “Modeling and solution of the
joint quay crane and truck scheduling problem”, European Journal of
Operational Research, vol. 236, pp.978-990, 2014.
[12] Laria Vacca, Michel Bierlaire and Matteo Salani, “Optimization at
Container Terminals: Status, Trends and Perspectives”, 7th Swiss
Transport Research Conference, 2007.
[13] R Stahlbock and S Voß, "Operations research at container terminals: a
literature update", OR Spectrum vol.30, no.1, pp.1-52, 2008.
[14] Mohammad. B, Nima. S, Nikbakhsh. J, "A genetic algorithm to solve the
storage space allocation problem in a container terminal", Computers &
Industrial Engineering, vol. 56, no.1, pp. 44–52, 2009.
[15] K.L. Mak and D. Sun., "Scheduling Yard Cranes in a Container
Terminal Using a New Genetic Approach", Engineering Letters, vol. 17,
no. 4, pp.274, 2009.
[16] Azmi Alazzam and Harold W. Lewis, "A New Optimization Algorithm
For Combinatorial Problems", (IJARAI) International Journal of
Advanced Research in Artificial Intelligence, vol. 2, no.5, pp.63-68,
2013.
[17] Pasquale Legat, Rina Mary Mazza, Roberto Trunfio, "Simulation for
performance evaluation of the housekeeping process". Proceedings of
the Winter Simulation Conference, pp. 2717-2725, 2012.
[18] Gamal Abd El-Nasser, Abeer M. Mahmoud and El-Sayed M. El-
Horbaty, "A Comparative Study of Meta-heuristic Algorithms for
Solving Quadratic Assignment Problem", (IJACSA) International
Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, ISSN: 2156-
5570, Vol. 5, No.1, 2014.
[19] D. Steenken, S. VoB, and R. Stahlbock. "Container terminal operation
and operations research - a classification and literature review". OR
Spectrum, vol. 26, pp. 3-49, 2004.
[20] Phatchara Sriphrabu, Kanchana Sethanan, and Banchar Arnonkijpanich.,
"A Solution of the Container Stacking Problem by Genetic Algorithm ".
International Journal of Engineering and Technology, vol. 5, no. 1, pp.
45-49, 2013.
[21] S. Y. Huang, W. J. Hsu, C. Chen, R. Ye and S. Nautiyal, "Capacity
Analysis of Container Terminals Using Simulation Techniques",
International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, vol. 32,
no. 4, pp. 246-253, 2008. [22] Cordeau, J. F., M. Gaudioso, G. Laporte and L. Moccia, "The service
allocation problem at the Gioia Tauro maritime terminal", European
Journal of Operational Research, vol. 176, pp. 1167-1184, 2007.
[23] M. Rodriguez-Molins, M. A. Salido, and F. Barber, “Intelligent planning
for allocating containers in maritime terminals”, Expert Systems with
Applications, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 978–989, 2012.
[24] Bradley Skinner, Shuai Yuan, Shoudong Huang, Dikai Liu, Binghuang
Cai, Gamini Dissanayake, Haye Lau, Andrew Bott, and Daniel Pagac,
"Optimisation for job scheduling at automated container terminals using
genetic algorithm", Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol.64, no.1,
pp.511–523, 2012.
[25] Jiabin Luo, Yue Wu, Arni Halldorsson and Xiang Song, "Storage and
stacking logistics problems in container terminals", OR Insight,
vol.24, pp.256–275, 2011.
[26] I. Ayachi , R. Kammarti , M. Ksouri and P. Borne, "A Genetic algorithm
to solve the container storage space allocation problem", International
conference on Computational Intelligence and Vehicular System (CIVS),
Cheju, Republic of Korea, November 22-23, 2010.
[27] Miguel A. Salido, Mario Rodriguez-Molins, and Federico Barber, "A
Decision Support System for Managing Combinatorial Problems in
Container Terminals", Knowledge-Based Systems, Vol.29, pp.63-74,
2012.
[28] Armando Carten and Stefano de Luca, "Tactical and strategic planning
for a container terminal: Modelling issues within a discrete event
simulation approach", Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, vol.21,
pp.123-145, 2012.
[29] Mariam Kotachi, Ghaith Rabadi, and Mohammad F. Obeid, "Simulation
Modeling and Analysis of Complex Port Operations with Multimodal
Transportation", Procedia Computer Science, vol.20, pp.229-234, 2013.
[30] Yiqin Lu and Meilong Le, "The integrated optimization of container
terminal scheduling with uncertain factors", Computers & Industrial
Engineering, vol.75, pp.209-216, 2014.
[31] K. H. Kim, Y-M. Park, and M.-J. Jin, “An optimal layout of container
yards,” OR Spectrum, vol. 30, pp. 675-695, 2007.
[32] Han, Y., Lee, L.H., Chew, E.P. and Tan, K.C., “A yard storage strategy
for minimizing traffic congestion in a marine container transshipment
hub”, OR Spectrum, vol.30.pp. 697–720, 2008.
[33] Flexsim software products inc.: www.flexsim.com.
[34] Alexandria Container terminal: www.alexcont.com (accessed 1/9/2014).
@article{"International Journal of Information, Control and Computer Sciences:68799", author = "Gamal Abd El-Nasser A. Said and El-Sayed M. El-Horbaty", title = "A Simulation Modeling Approach for Optimization of Storage Space Allocation in Container Terminal", abstract = "Container handling problems at container terminals
are NP-hard problems. This paper presents an approach using
discrete-event simulation modeling to optimize solution for storage
space allocation problem, taking into account all various interrelated
container terminal handling activities. The proposed approach is
applied on a real case study data of container terminal at Alexandria
port. The computational results show the effectiveness of the
proposed model for optimization of storage space allocation in
container terminal where 54% reduction in containers handling time
in port is achieved.
", keywords = "Container terminal, discrete-event simulation,
optimization, storage space allocation.", volume = "9", number = "1", pages = "168-6", }
