An integrated model for resource allocation and scheduling in a transshipment container terminal

Abstract This paper considers the coordination between quay cranes and yard cranes in a transshipment process at a container terminal. An optimization model (a linear-integer program) is developed to minimize the number of cranes used in both the quay and yard sides. In addition, the developed model determines the optimal schedule for unloading a vessel and storing its transshipment containers in the yard as a function of the container location in ship bay, type of container (e.g., weight class, size, and next port of destination), and the yard sub-block allocated for every container. The model is solved using the GUROBI solver via AMPL compiler. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the application of the model and draw insights. Our main insight is that, under coordination between the quay and yard sides, constraints on one side may significantly affect the allocation and scheduling of cranes on the other side.