ABSTRACT
This chapter concerns port and terminal operations management. We firstly introduce the concepts and principles associated with ports and terminals including types of ports and terminals, port facilities and equipment, port community system, and container terminal operations. The main planning problems at container terminals are classified into a matrix according to planning levels and logistics positions. A case study of the London Gateway port is provided to illustrate the terminal operations. Secondly, port competition and competitiveness are discussed from different stakeholders’ perspectives. A static cost model is first given to analyse the port competitiveness from a supply chain perspective. Two game-theoretical models are then presented to model port competition. The first one involves the shipping line's port-of-call decision. The second one involves the shippers' port choice decision. Thirdly, we address the operations management problems for quayside, yardside, and landside, respectively. At the quayside, the berth allocation problem, quay crane (QC) assignment problem, QC scheduling problem, and the approaches to integrate them are discussed. At yardside, mathematical models integrating yard operations with either quayside automated guided vehicle scheduling or landside vehicle booking information are presented. At landside, the terminal gate systems are analysed using queuing theory; the main planning problems at seaport rail terminals are explained; and a stochastic dynamic programming model is presented to optimise rail terminal container pre-staging, discharging, and loading operations. Fourthly, the reasons causing port congestion are identified and the impact of port congestion on port communities are explained. The potential mitigation measures are discussed. Finally, relevant literature, further readings, and future research trends are described.
