Discrete Event Simulation of Truck Appointment Systems in Container Terminals: A Dual Transactions Approach

Davies K. Bett, Islam Ali, Mohamed Gheith, Amr Eltawil

Abstract


Marine Container Terminals (CT) are vital hubs in the global maritime logistics network. They act as the link between sea-borne and landside-based operations. Effective planning and execution of drayage operations remain paramount in optimizing resource usage and enhancing port efficiency. Congestion remains to be a serious challenge in and around the CT. This is primarily due to the unmanaged arrival of External Trucks (ETs), which eventually leads to the buildup of lengthy queues at the gates of the CT and yard area. As a result, it detrimentally impacts the average Truck Turnaround Time (TTT) and the overall port efficiency. In response to the aforementioned challenge, this study seeks to develop a simulation model of a Truck Appointment System (TAS) that leverages a dual transactions approach to effectively mitigate congestion and further reduce the number of empty truck trips while performing pick-up or drop-off tasks. The outcomes of the study will be beneficial to both terminal managers and Trucking Companies (TCs). Firstly, port managers will be able to match the available yard resources with the requested appointments in advance to eliminate gate and yard queues and reduce waiting times. Consequently, trucks are expected to arrive at the terminal at the stipulated times to perform specific tasks. Secondly, the drayage operators are expected to improve the utilization of their trucks since the dual transactions approach allows truckers to drop off and pick up a container in a single trip, thus cutting down on empty truck trips.

 

Keywords


Discrete event simulation, truck appointment system, congestion, dual transaction

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References


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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/MARLOG.2024.13.1.90

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Copyright (c) 2025 Davies K. Bett, Islam Ali, Mohamed Gheith, Amr Eltawil

The International Maritime Transport and Logistics Journal (MARLOG)

E-ISSN: 2974-3141
P-ISSN: 2974-3133

Published by:

Academy Publishing Center (APC)

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Alexandria, Egypt