ABSTRACT
The literature on the optimization of container terminal logistics has recently focused on space assignment
and equipment management within the yard sub-system. Yet, to our knowledge, no models have been
proposed for housekeeping, i.e. the process according to which a container is moved from one yard position
to another during its stay in the terminal’s storage area. Housekeeping has only been addressed as a
conceptual choice lying behind yard operating rules when dealing with empirical investigations for intelligent
yard stacking. Here we propose a queuing-based representation of the current housekeeping process
in a real container terminal and solve it by discrete-event simulation to i) assess the efficiency of the
housekeeping operations under unforeseen events or process disturbances and ii) estimate the related
productivity and waiting phenomena which, in turn, affect the vessel turn-around time. Sample results returned
by the simulator are presented to illustrate possible usage via scenario analysis.
1 INTRODUCTION
The consolidated importance of containerized traffic in global trade is evidenced by the growth of container
volumes handled. According to Container Trades Statistics (Container Trades Statistics 2012), in
the past two years Europe alone has accounted for a 16% increase of imported and exported containers
(from 32,725,900 in 2009 to 37,944,400 in 2011 measured in TEUs - twenty-foot equivalent units, a
measure used for capacity in container transportation). As a result, container terminals are stressed to accommodate
the growing container traffic, usually, within the same physical area dedicated to container
storage, while providing for a more careful management of the facility equipment.
In this context, container handling throughout the major logistic sub-systems of the terminal becomes
a key issue to maintain high levels of productivity and quality of service. Most of the logistic operations
provided in a contai