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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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    Cited by:

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    2. Yu, Jingjing & Tang, Guolei & Song, Xiangqun, 2022. "Collaboration of vessel speed optimization with berth allocation and quay crane assignment considering vessel service differentiation," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    3. Changchun Liu & Xi Xiang & Li Zheng, 2017. "Two decision models for berth allocation problem under uncertainty considering service level," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 29(3), pages 312-344, December.
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    6. Shaojian Qu & Xinqi Li & Chang Liu & Xufeng Tang & Zhisheng Peng & Ying Ji, 2023. "Two-Stage Robust Programming Modeling for Continuous Berth Allocation with Uncertain Vessel Arrival Time," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-30, July.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
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    10. 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.
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. Wang, Xinchang & Meng, Qiang, 2019. "Optimal price decisions for joint ventures between port operators and shipping lines under the congestion effect," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 273(2), pages 695-707.
    15. Daniela Paddeu & Paulus Aditjandra, 2020. "Shaping Urban Freight Systems via a Participatory Approach to Inform Policy-Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, January.
    16. Iris, Çağatay & Lam, Jasmine Siu Lee, 2019. "Recoverable robustness in weekly berth and quay crane planning," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 365-389.
    17. Xiang, Xi & Liu, Changchun, 2021. "An expanded robust optimisation approach for the berth allocation problem considering uncertain operation time," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    18. Hsien-Pin Hsu & Tai-Lin Chiang & Chia-Nan Wang & Hsin-Pin Fu & Chien-Chang Chou, 2019. "A Hybrid GA with Variable Quay Crane Assignment for Solving Berth Allocation Problem and Quay Crane Assignment Problem Simultaneously," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-21, April.
    19. Xiang, Xi & Liu, Changchun, 2021. "An almost robust optimization model for integrated berth allocation and quay crane assignment problem," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    20. Xiang, Xi & Liu, Changchun & Miao, Lixin, 2017. "A bi-objective robust model for berth allocation scheduling under uncertainty," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 294-319.
    21. 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.
    22. 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.
    23. 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.
    24. 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.
    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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