Capacity analysis of container terminals using simulation techniques

Simulation based analysis is particularly useful for designing new container terminals and evaluating the benefits of new resources or impacts of operation policies and modifications. We present a computer simulation model that integrates all the activities of a container terminal and captures the essential interactions among the subsystems which affect terminal capacity. The system incorporates methods to generate realistic vessel arrival patterns and can track the moves of millions of containers in a terminal. We further present case studies of the handling capacities of three container terminals in the Southeast Asia region, the issues involved, our approach and the findings.