A simulation tool for container operations management at seaport terminals

By connecting maritime and land transport, container terminals play a critical role in global logistics systems, as part of broader intermodal networks. The evolution of containerisation and technological advances, along with increased demand and volumes, led to significant adaptations in these terminals, as a way to improve productivity, reduce costs and increase competitiveness, while coping with spatial and operational constraints. For strategic decision-making, managing these complex systems can be enhanced by simulation models allowing the analysis of different scenarios in dynamic, uncertain environments. This work, presents a simulation-based decision support tool developed in the FlexSim software, to analyse different container terminal configurations, with a particular focus on automation and on sustainable practices to reduce the energy consumption of terminals. A discrete event simulation model was developed to study multiple scenarios impacting productivity, resource utilisation, and waiting times. The proposed approach allows the test and evaluation of management strategies for port operations, with preliminary results showing that sizing and planning of the fleets of automated guided vehicles (AGV) can significantly affect the total operating time, the energy consumed, and the costs associated with battery charging operations. Future research should explore additional factors affecting container terminal operations, such as the reorganisation of the storage area, while incorporating optimisation elements for work planning and resource allocation. Moreover, the simulation model will be tested and validated in a real case study, designed for the Port of Sines in Portugal.