Yvo A. Saanen

Comparison of three automated stacking alternatives by means of simulation

Container terminals are struggling with ever-increasing volumes, and are therefore searching for solutions to increase throughput capacity without expanding their physical footprint. They are also looking for cost-efficient solutions, leading to the application of semi-automated high density stacking systems for container storage. However, when selecting such a system, it needs to be determined what the best configuration for that particular terminal is, and secondly: how to make such a system productive? So far, we have seen various applications in practice that are quite different. How come? In this paper, we compare three different automated container storage concepts on their efficiency in terms of productivity, flexibility, area utilization, and cost to come to a verdict: what are the best automated high-density concept yet existing? Furthermore, we define the conditions under which a certain concept has to be preferred over another one

Snapshot of E-Commerce's Opportunities and Threats

E-commerce offers opportunities to change the way of doing business. However fully utilizing these opportunities and overcoming the bottlenecks, requires more than just getting online. The currently low Internet trade volumes confirm this. This paper gives a snapshot of opportunities and bottlenecks for e-commerce, regarding the internal organization as well as the organization within a larger business network. How should organizations integrate e-commerce into their current business processes? Which strategies should be followed to be successful on electronic markets? Which roles within the business network should and can be played utilizing e-commerce? Apparently new business models and strategies are required, but the engineering question is open for the future. The identified bottlenecks and opportunities, placed in a research framework of analysis, can serve as a handle in these re-engineering projects.

Controls: emulation to improve the performance of container terminals

Nowadays container terminals are struggling with a continuously increasing volume. Therefore, they are searching for solutions to increase throughput capacity without expanding their physical footprint. Furthermore, they aim to increase their productivity on vessels in order to be able to handle bigger ships with larger call sizes in the same time frame. A terminal operating system (TOS) plays a major role in today¿s terminal operations as it supports planning, scheduling and equipment control. Recently more and more tasks are performed by the TOS - stowage planning, grounding decisions, equipment dispatching - and therefore, they need to be well-tuned to the operation, which remains a terminal specific characteristic. In this paper, an approach is presented to test and tweak the TOS and train operators on a virtual terminal. The implementation of this approach has been successfully applied during several TOS update or replacement projects for Rotterdam, Hong Kong, Norfolk, Virginia and Antwerp.

Improving container terminal efficiency through emulation

Container terminals are struggling with a continuously increasing volume and increasing performance demands. As space is typically limited, terminals are searching for solutions to increase throughput capacity without expanding their physical footprint. Furthermore, they aim to increase their productivity on vessels in order to be able to handle bigger ships with larger call sizes in the same time frame. A terminal operating system (TOS) plays a major role in todays terminal operations, as it supports planning, scheduling and equipment control. Recently more and more tasks are performed by the TOS. These tasks need to be well-tuned to the operation (such as stowage planning, grounding decisions and equipment dispatching) in order to reduce cost and risk. In this paper, we present a meanwhile proven, safe and inexpensive approach to test and tweak the TOS and train operators on an emulated virtual terminal. This novel approach in the field of container terminals has been successfully applied during the previous 3 years at over 15 container terminals.

Plan validation for container terminals

Terminal operating systems (TOS) play a major role in todays terminal performance. A TOS is used to create operational plans in order to ensure timely handling of vessels, trucks and trains at minimal operational cost. Creating appropriate operational plans forms a challenge for the planners, as plans should take into account a variety of aspects, such as grounding decisions and equipment dispatching. In addition, several decisions have to be made within a limited time frame, couple of hours before starting the operation. Wrong decisions in the plan can have major impact on the operation and implies financial and safety consequences. Planners face these problems only when the plans are actually executed in live operation. In this article, we propose to use a fast yet accurate simulation of both the operation and the TOS in order to support planners to investigate and adapt plans before they are applied in live operations.

Improving the quality of controls and reducing costs for on-site adjustments with emulation:an example of emulation in baggage handling

Extending or changing systems that are in operation 24/7 should disturb the operation as little as possible. Therefore, the extensions or changes should have been thoroughly tested in advance under conditions comparable to operational conditions. Baggage handling systems is typically an area to which these requirements apply. Control software is one of the main components for baggage handling systems, at high and low level. Software is often the reason for system failure. Therefore, a need exists for tools that support testing without involving the real equipment on site. By using a simulation environment for emulating baggage handling equipment it was possible to test the low level control software without involving any real baggage handling equipment. The simulation environment enabled detailed tests and provided insight into the behaviour of the PLC for our client. This approach saved significant lead time in the project and reduced the required time for testing on-site.