Sotiris Theofanis

The Berth-Scheduling Problem: Maximizing Berth Productivity and Minimizing Fuel Consumption and Emissions Production

This paper presents a new formulation for the discrete space berth-scheduling problem at marine container terminals. This formulation reflects an environmentally friendly berth-scheduling policy with the objectives of (a) maximizing berth productivity by minimizing the total service time and delayed departures for all vessels and (b) minimizing the total emissions and fuel consumption for all vessels while in transit to their next port of call. A genetic algorithms–based heuristic is presented to solve the resulting problem, and computational examples are presented to evaluate the proposed berth-scheduling policy.

Regional Repositioning of Empty Containers: Case for Inland Depots

Regional repositioning of empty containers involves empty container movement between regional importers, marine terminals, depots, and export customers. This chain movement generates unproductive empty vehicle miles in the region. The problem of empty vehicle miles becomes more prominent because empty container depots are located close to the port and customers are inland. Considering the double-digit increase in containerized trade volumes and the persistent trade imbalance that strain existing depot capacities in major import areas, this paper focuses on the optimal location of new container depots and the repositioning of empty containers in a region. It proposes a system of inland depots for empty containers (IDEC) in which new depots would be built closer to customer clusters. An IDEC system can minimize the total system costs (cost of opening new depots plus repositioning cost of empties) and provide additional required capacity. The paper presents a mathematical model of such a system and discusses its feasibility and effectiveness. The proposed system is evaluated for a region based on the New York–New Jersey port region. Results show that by building inland depots, empty vehicle miles traveled and total system cost of repositioning empties are reduced significantly. At the same time, capacity is added to the system, preventing a shortfall that would result from the increase in trade and the trade imbalance. The authors believe that an IDEC system has great potential in optimizing regional empty moves.

Container Terminal Berth Planning: Critical Review of Research Approaches and Practical Challenges

A comparative, up-to-date, critical review of existing research efforts relating to berth planning is presented. Existing models are critically reviewed on the basis of their efficiency in addressing key operational and tactical questions relating to vessel service and their relevance and applicability to different marine terminal operator berth-planning strategies and contractual service arrangements between terminal operators and ocean carriers. The strengths and deficiencies of the existing models in addressing real-world problems in a systemic and coherent manner are discussed. The paper concludes with some insights for future research issues.

Adaptive Algorithm Based on Time Window Partitioning for Discrete and Dynamic Berth-Scheduling Problem

The berth-scheduling problem is considered with the objective of increasing customer satisfaction by minimizing the late berthing or departure and maximizing the early and timely berthing or departure of vessels. Vessel priority also is considered through the use of weights. An adaptive local search heuristic is developed to solve the resulting problem using a Markovian walk and a time window partitioning approach to improve convergence patterns and the objective function values. Results obtained from the heuristic are shown to be robust, and convergence rates and patterns are promising.

Ferry Parking and Landside Access Study: Implementing Public Outreach and Impact Assessment

Through federal regulations, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are mandated to perform public outreach and impact assessment. Although there are some established parameters, the quality and effectiveness of public outreach efforts vary widely, and in many instances information dissemination becomes the central focus of public outreach efforts. However, information dissemination, although essential, is not as effective as a two-way process of public involvement in which members of the public may provide feedback to shape agency initiatives. Research conducted for the Ferry Parking and Landside Access Study is used to describe best practices in public outreach, focusing on socio-economic and community impact assessment. The landside access study represents a dedicated effort by the New York MPO to approach planning for waterborne services by using a comprehensive approach based on land use. With emphasis on land-use criteria, the focus is on people and impact, unlike the traditional demand analysis seen in past ferry studies. By acknowledging regulatory shortcomings and outlining a plan for implementing public outreach and impact assessment, success for consensus building is likely. Practitioners are encouraged to examine the effectiveness of their own public outreach and impact assessment methods.

Trends in global port operations and their influence on port labor: Challenges and implications for US East Coast longshoremen

The port industry has undergone substantial structural changes during the past 15 years. The emergence of global terminal operators, global oligopolistic market consolidation, vertical and horizontal integration of liner shipping, and the new structure of global production networks in relation to emerging technologies are only a few of the factors that have fundamentally influenced port labor. Ports are no longer isolated functional nodes of the transportation chain, but are a fundamental component of a seamless supply chain, working along with satellite and inland terminals. At the same time, marine terminals sometimes function as extended warehouses, providing flexible virtual inventory. These developments have created substantial challenges to port labor, including the need for upgraded working skills, enhanced productivity, and the ability to adopt flexible working conditions. Unionized port labor has been traditionally highly inflexible in changing attitudes and adapting to new port work practices. In contrast, the explosion of port service demand in emerging economies, particularly in East Asia, was followed by an unprecedented increase in port productivity, coupled by flexibility in port working practices that cannot be accepted by unionized port labor in the United States and Europe. This paper examines some of the current challenges and implications for the U.S. East Coast port labor force—the International Longshoremens Association—due to global developments in international trade and global port operations. It proposes that future research incorporate a broad range of disciplines in order to understand the competitive environment facing longshoremen better.