Direct handling between vessels and trucks: skipping storage of containers at seaport terminals

Container yards are increasingly becoming bottlenecks at the terminals. To address this, new approaches are needed. One way to redesign processes at the terminal is the direct handling of containers on the seaside. This study employs a discrete-event simulation model to analyse the effects of delayed truck arrivals on quay crane productivity during direct handling between vessels and trucks. In this context, direct handling of containers refers to the loading and unloading of containers between vessels and trucks without intermediate storage in the container yard. A simulation model using Tecnomatix Plant Simulation replicates a terminal employing both conventional and direct handling, examining various truck delay scenarios. Results indicate that minor truck delays mildly affect quay crane productivity, whereas significant delays considerably diminish productivity, especially when a larger share of containers is handled directly. Although direct handling offers efficiency potential, delayed trucks pose significant planning challenges. Future research will aim to develop strategies to mitigate these impacts, such as flexible export container loading sequences.