A mixed-integer linear programming approach to container terminal layout optimization: application to the port of Piraeus

Abstract This study addresses the issue of designing a container terminal layout by developing a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) mathematical model. The methodology is applied to Pier II of the Piraeus Container Terminal. The mathematical formulation of the problem systematically incorporates real-world spatial constraints and operational factors related to container storage areas, while evaluating alternative scenarios to identify optimal layouts. The methodology considers the geometric and functional characteristics of the terminal, including data related to container handling equipment and the movement of conventional trucks and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). The objective function aims to minimize the total operational distance from the berthing positions to the container stacking blocks, thereby enhancing terminal performance. The optimized truck-based configuration reduced the total internal transport distance by 23.1%, while the AGV-based configuration also reduced total internal transport distance by approximately 23% in relation to the existing layout, but it resulted in higher absolute travel distances compared to the truck-based optimal solution. Applying the proposed methodology to real data from the Port of Piraeus shows how alternative layouts can reduce internal transportation distances and enhance operational efficiency. A comparative analysis of alternative scenarios confirms the effectiveness of the proposed solutions, highlighting their potential to significantly improve operational efficiency, while also offering prospects for future research and practical applications.