ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an application of discrete event simulation to an intermodal supply chain, based on Ro-Ro ships. This type of supply chains is affected by a significant number of uncertainties related to the bookings and the performance of the terminals, land transport and maritime transport. The combination of these uncertainties often leads to reliability issues which contribute to the reluctance of logistics companies in using intermodal transport. A discrete event simulation model is presented in this chapter to assess the overall reliability of such intermodal transport operations, based on a weekly schedule for the Ro-Ro ship, subject, however, to some uncertainty on actual departure time. The simulation model also represents in detail the operation of ships in the route, including mechanical problems and bad weather effects, the truck traffic between the terminals and the cargo origins and destinations, evaluating schedule compliance under uncertainty, the delays that can occur on the delivery of cargo units at the terminals, the ship’s occupation indicators and the overall reliability of the system. A comprehensive assessment of the economic performance of the system is also carried out and conclusions are drawn.
