Modelling and simulation for improving the efficiency of port operations

• Main Author: Lee, Le Ler.
• Other Authors: Chen Chun-Hsien
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Systems engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/18049
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper studies the sea-port operations, particularly, analyzing the possibility in incorporating new technology into the port operations. The developed simulation model effectively incorporate the second model, built using Arena simulation tool. The sensitivity analysis was performed on different configurations on the entire port. The results reveal that by incorporating the new technologies improve the productivity and efficiency of the port. The cost to implement such model is higher, however, due to lower frequency of maintenance needed by the new technology, and the distinct improvement in productivity, the cost is supplemented by the gain of higher processing rate. Modeling and simulation was also performed to test the feasibility of incorporating additional quay cranes in model 2 setting. Model 2 is a setting where all the equipment used in the port operations are in the design stage. The results show that by only adding quay cranes to the system do not improve the turnaround time of the vessels. This is due to the flow of the containers also depending on the yard side traffic including the vertical transfer system and the internal prime movers. This report introduces 3 new technologies that are still undergoing research and development which are now having prototypes testing in certain container ports. The first new technology is the August’s Design Robotic Cranes which has 75 moves per hour with 6 DOF spreader bar. The second technology is the Linear Motor Conveyance System which uses linear induction motor to power and control. The third technology is the High Density High Productivity Storage System which automatically retrieves information.