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Optimal policies for the berth allocation problem under stochastic nature

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  • Ursavas, Evrim
  • Zhu, Stuart X.

Abstract

Key purpose of container terminals is to serve container vessels. Container vessels may be of different types such as large deep-sea vessels or feeders and barges. Container terminal operators have to deploy intelligent strategies for the allocation of their limited resources to the calling vessels of those different types. The presence of uncertainty in the real processing of the operational schedules and arrival of vessels adds to the complexity of the already multifaceted problem. An inefficient decision in the berth allocation phase affects all the other applications connected to this and may increase the service period and costs. In this study, we propose a framework based on stochastic dynamic programing approach to model the berth allocation problem and characterize optimal polices under stochastic arrival and handling times for different types of calling vessels. We find that the optimal control policy is of threshold type depending on the number of vessels in a certain berth group. The derived policies can be used at container terminals for the optimal use of their berthing facilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Ursavas, Evrim & Zhu, Stuart X., 2016. "Optimal policies for the berth allocation problem under stochastic nature," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 255(2), pages 380-387.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:255:y:2016:i:2:p:380-387
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2016.04.029
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    10. Mengzhi Ma & Houming Fan & Xiaodan Jiang & Zhenfeng Guo, 2019. "Truck Arrivals Scheduling with Vessel Dependent Time Windows to Reduce Carbon Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-26, November.
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    13. Xavier Schepler & Nabil Absi & Dominique Feillet & Eric Sanlaville, 2019. "The stochastic discrete berth allocation problem," EURO Journal on Transportation and Logistics, Springer;EURO - The Association of European Operational Research Societies, vol. 8(4), pages 363-396, December.
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    15. Rodrigues, Filipe & Agra, Agostinho, 2021. "An exact robust approach for the integrated berth allocation and quay crane scheduling problem under uncertain arrival times," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 295(2), pages 499-516.
    16. Pedro A. P. Dias & Hugo Yoshizaki & Patricia Favero & Jose Geraldo Vidal Vieira, 2019. "Daytime or Overnight Deliveries? Perceptions of Drivers and Retailers in São Paulo City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-16, November.
    17. Correcher, Juan Francisco & Van den Bossche, Thomas & Alvarez-Valdes, Ramon & Vanden Berghe, Greet, 2019. "The berth allocation problem in terminals with irregular layouts," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 272(3), pages 1096-1108.
    18. Zhen, Lu & Zhuge, Dan & Wang, Shuaian & Wang, Kai, 2022. "Integrated berth and yard space allocation under uncertainty," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1-27.
    19. Agra, Agostinho & Oliveira, Maryse, 2018. "MIP approaches for the integrated berth allocation and quay crane assignment and scheduling problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 264(1), pages 138-148.
    20. Raeesi, Ramin & Sahebjamnia, Navid & Mansouri, S. Afshin, 2023. "The synergistic effect of operational research and big data analytics in greening container terminal operations: A review and future directions," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 310(3), pages 943-973.
    21. Agra, Agostinho & Rodrigues, Filipe, 2022. "Distributionally robust optimization for the berth allocation problem under uncertainty," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1-24.
    22. Rodrigues, Filipe & Agra, Agostinho, 2022. "Berth allocation and quay crane assignment/scheduling problem under uncertainty: A survey," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 303(2), pages 501-524.
    23. T. R. Lalita & G. S. R. Murthy, 2022. "Compact ILP formulations for a class of solutions to berth allocation and quay crane scheduling problems," OPSEARCH, Springer;Operational Research Society of India, vol. 59(1), pages 413-439, March.
    24. Changchun Liu & Xi Xiang & Li Zheng, 2020. "A two-stage robust optimization approach for the berth allocation problem under uncertainty," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 425-452, June.
    25. Fan Bu & Heather Nachtmann, 2023. "Literature review and comparative analysis of inland waterways transport: “Container on Barge”," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 25(1), pages 140-173, March.

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