Strategies for improving a long-established terminal’s performance: a simulation study of a Turkish container terminal

Due to a long-lasting increase in global trade, only interrupted by the late-2000s economic crisis, container traffic has grown dramatically. As a result, new terminals have opened and existing terminals face much higher container handling than before. In order to meet these challenges, one of the biggest container terminals in Turkey has begun to reconsider its terminal operations and to achieve improvements of its overall logistics performance. Because the factors impacting the terminal’s performance are highly interrelated, a simulation model was developed to analyze the terminal operations, to identify potential bottleneck resources and to highlight directions for the future development of the configuration and the operational control system. For a long-established terminal like the one considered in this study the options for improving the overall performance are limited by the geographical dimensions and by the existing terminal equipment. By use of the simulation model the terminal operations are evaluated under different workload scenarios and alternative configurations are tested in order to support strategic decisions on the terminal’s development.     

A chassis exchange terminal to reduce truck congestion at container terminals

Truck congestion for container terminals seems to be a worldwide unwanted phenomenon. In this paper we present and analyze a chassis exchange terminal concept to reduce the congestion. The terminal works as a kind of extended gate of a group of traditional container terminals. During the night containers are collected from these container terminals using chassis (or trailers). In daytime these containers on chassis are then collected and exchanged with export containers also on chassis. By exchanging the chassis we avoid extra handling of containers. As connecting and disconnecting to a chassis can be done in a short time, the chassis exchange terminal increases handling capacity substantially during peak hours. In this paper we analyze the concept for the Maasvlakte container terminals in Rotterdam. We investigate both the effect on waiting time, as well as the environmental effects.     

Strategic allocation of cyclically calling vessels for multi-terminal container operators

We consider a terminal operator who provides container handling services at multiple terminals within the same port. In this setting, the well-known berth allocation problem can no longer be considered for each terminal in isolation since vessel calls should be spread over the various terminals to avoid peaks and troughs in quay crane utilization, and an allocation of two connecting vessels to different terminals will generate inter-terminal container transport. In this paper, we address the problem of spreading a set of cyclically calling vessels over the various terminals and allocating a berthing and departure time to each of them. The objectives are (1) to balance the quay crane workload over the terminals and over time and (2) to minimize the amount of inter-terminal container transport. We develop a solution approach based on mixed-integer programming that allows to solve real-life instances of the problem within satisfactory time. Additionally, a practical case study is presented based on data from the terminal operator PSA Antwerp who operates multiple terminals in the port of Antwerp, Belgium. The computational results show the cost of the currently agreed schedules, and that relatively small modifications can significantly reduce the required crane capacities and inter-terminal transport.     

Inbound container storage price competition between the container terminal and a remote container yard

With the rapid development of global ocean transportation, storage space in container terminals is becoming a scarce resource. Hence, the terminal yard only performs as a temporary storage facility for inbound cargos. A storage charge is levied for inbound cargos that stay longer than a free storage time (called free-time-limit). After the free-time-limit, customers may move cargos from the terminal yard to a remote container yard where the storage price is lower than that in the terminal. This paper proposes inbound container storage pricing game models between the container terminal and a remote container yard. Two cases are considered: (1) the inbound container’s dwell time is random and follows a probability distribution function; (2) the inbound container’s dwell time is sensitive to the storage prices. The primary objective of this paper is to analyze the storage pricing behavior and competition outcomes of the container terminal and the remote container yard. A number of insights and analysis are provided.     

Simulated annealing with different vessel assignment strategies for the continuous berth allocation problem

The berth allocation problem is an optimization problem concerning seaside operations at container terminals. This study investigates the dynamic and continuous berth allocation problem (BAP), whose objective is to minimize the total weighted service time and the deviation cost from vessels’ preferred position. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer programming model. Due to that the BAP is NP-hard, two efficient and effective simulated annealing (SA) algorithms are proposed to locate vessels along the quay. The first SA assigns vessels to available positions along the quay from the left to the right, while the second assigns vessels from both sides. Both small and large-scale instances in the literature are tested to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed SA algorithms using the optimization software Gurobi and heuristic algorithms from the literature. The results indicate that the proposed SAs can provide optimal solutions in small-scale instances and updates the best solutions in large-scale instances. The improvement over other comparing heuristics is statistically significant.     

Simulation modelling in ports and container terminals: literature overview and analysis by research field,application area and tool

The simulation modelling of shore- and sea-side port operations constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for effective project planning in port development, as the influence of numerous often interactive parameters has to be addressed at an early stage to account for the optimum supply of port facilities and services to current and future demand. This paper presents a detailed review of the available research literature on the application of simulation models in port development, through extensive reference to published journal papers from the onset of the relevant simulation modelling and through the course of the past 54 years (1961–2015). With focus on container terminals, this review aims at analysing the use of port related simulation models and ultimately at assessing their contribution into building the research knowledge necessary to promote sustainable ship-port interfaces and freight transport chains. It was found that over the past 50 years the use of simulation models has been increasingly favoured and instrumental in the development of ports and more specifically of container terminals. Most of the research literature addresses operational issues, accounting for its highest concentration and coherence in the research field of operations research, although the need to utilise the wide-ranging capabilities of simulation modelling in order to offer integrated solutions is recently promoting the dissemination of the relevant literature through sector-specific (i.e. transport and maritime) research fields. Finally, the observed tendency to employ simulation tools which offer the most realistic results reflects the research effort to ensure that simulation modelling offers tangible solutions to the maritime and transport industry.     

Decision support based automatic container sequencing system using heuristic rules

Container terminals in seaports constitute interfaces between the seaborne transport and transport-over-land of goods in global transport chains. The loading and unloading of containers are performed using quay cranes (QCs), which is the most important equipment for handling servicing vessels at a container terminal. Following tremendous growth in global container transshipments, terminals are facing increasing demand. Terminals at Shanghai are equipped with Tandem Lift which can lift two 40’ containers simultaneously to improve the efficiency of the QCs. A reasonable container combinations of Tandem Lift and container operation sequence are required to improve the servicing of vessels, meanwhile the dual cycling container operation of quay cranes has to be investigated. This paper presents a two-stage mathematical model and two-level heuristic algorithm for planning the container operation sequence using Tandem Lift in a feasible computational time. Based on the proposed methodology, a decision support system, called the Tandem Lift Container Sequence System (TLCSS). A case study of Shanghai Shengdong International Port Company (SSICT) proves that consideration of the container sequence with Tandem Lift dramatically shortens servicing time of vessels with the TLCSS.     

Aligning barge and terminal operations using service-time profiles

We consider a key issue in hinterland container navigation in ports, such as Rotterdam and Antwerp, namely the barge handling problem: how to optimize the alignment of barge and terminal operations in a port. We make a major step in solving the barge handling problem for practical settings. Specifically, we consider restricted opening times of terminals, unbalanced networks, the presence of sea vessels, and closing times of containers. Consequently, at a terminal a barge faces time dependency in: (1) the waiting time until the start of handling and (2) the handling time itself. The concept of waiting profiles which we introduced in an earlier paper only deals with (1). To deal with (1) and (2) together we introduce a more comprehensive concept, namely that of service-time profile. To establish how well our approach works, we evaluate the performance of our distributed planning approach extensively by means of simulation. We compare our results with those based on centralized planning by using an off-line benchmark resembling it. We show that the Multi-Agent system that we introduce enables barge and terminal operators to align their operations efficiently. Hence, it can be seen as a promising solution approach for solving the barge handling problem, since it enables (competing) companies to collaborate in a competitive way.     

Livestock waste treatment systems for environmental quality,food safety,and sustainability

The intensification of livestock operations has benefited production efficiency but has introduced major environmental issues, becoming a concern in both developed and developing countries. The aim of this paper is primarily to address the impact of the livestock sector on environmental pollution (ammonia, greenhouse gases and pathogens), evaluate the related health risks and, subsequently, assess the potential role of waste treatment systems in attenuating these environmental and health issues. This paper is a collection of data pertaining to world trends in livestock production, since the mid 1990s and intensive livestock farming practices along with their impact on: water pollution by nitrates and through eutrophication; air pollution, particularly ammonia and greenhouse gases emissions, and soil pollution because of nutrient accumulation. Finally, this paper examines some of the benefits of treating livestock manures, issues related to the adoption of treatment systems by livestock operations and current as well as past technological developments.     

Pricing storage of outbound containers in container terminals

In container yard of container terminals, a storage charge is imposed to encourage customers to limit the space required for their containers. This study addresses the storage price scheduling problem for the storage of outbound containers. The price schedule consists of the free-time limit, which is the maximum duration for a container to stay in the yard without any charge, and storage charge per day for storing a container past the free-time-limit. Empirical data suggests that the efficiency of loading operations significantly depends on the space utilized by a vessel’s outbound containers. Mathematical models are developed to determine the optimal storage price schedule in such a manner that the terminal’s total profit is maximized or the total system’s cost is minimized. Both single and multi-vessel cases are considered. Properties of the optimal solution are derived from the mathematical models and numerical experiments are conducted to validate solutions.     

A new approach to the Container Positioning Problem

In this paper the Container Positioning Problem is revisited. This problem arises at busy container terminals and requires one to minimize the use of block cranes in handling the containers that must wait at the terminal until their next means of transportation. We propose a new Mixed Integer Programming model that not only improves on earlier attempts at this problem, but also better reflects reality. In particular, the proposed model adopts a preference to reshuffle containers in line with a just-in-time concept, as it is assumed that data is more accurate the closer to a container’s scheduled departure the time is. Other important improvements include a reduction in the model size, and the ability of the model to consider containers initially at the terminal. In addition, we describe several classes of valid inequalities for this new formulation and present a rolling horizon based heuristic for solving larger instances of the problem. We show that this new formulation drastically outperforms previous attempts at the problem through a direct comparison on instances available in the literature. Furthermore, we also show that the rolling horizon based heuristic can further reduce the solution time on the larger of these instances as well as find acceptable solutions to much bigger, artificially generated, instances.     

The effects of polarizing current on nerve terminal impulses recorded from polymodal and cold receptors in the guinea-pig cornea

It was reported recently that action potentials actively invade the sensory nerve terminals of corneal polymodal receptors, whereas corneal cold receptor nerve terminals are passively invaded (Brock, J.A., S. Pianova, and C. Belmonte. 2001. J. Physiol. 533:493-501). The present study investigated whether this functional difference between these two types of receptor was due to an absence of voltage-activated Na(+) conductances in cold receptor nerve terminals. To address this question, the study examined the effects of polarizing current on the configuration of nerve terminal impulses recorded extracellularly from single polymodal and cold receptors in guinea-pig cornea isolated in vitro. Polarizing currents were applied through the recording electrode. In both receptor types, hyperpolarizing current (+ve) increased the negative amplitude of nerve terminal impulses. In contrast, depolarizing current (-ve) was without effect on polymodal receptor nerve terminal impulses but increased the positive amplitude of cold receptor nerve terminal impulses. The hyperpolarization-induced increase in the negative amplitude of nerve terminal impulses represents a net increase in inward current. In both types of receptor, this increase in inward current was reduced by local application of low Na(+) solution and blocked by lidocaine (10 mM). In addition, tetrodotoxin (1 microM) slowed but did not reduce the hyperpolarization-induced increase in the negative amplitude of polymodal and cold nerve terminal impulses. The depolarization-induced increase in the positive amplitude of cold receptor nerve terminal impulses represents a net increase in outward current. This change was reduced both by lidocaine (10 mM) and the combined application of tetraethylammomium (20 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (1 mM). The interpretation is that both polymodal and cold receptor nerve terminals possess high densities of tetrodotoxin-resistant Na(+) channels. This finding suggests that in cold receptors, under normal conditions, the Na(+) conductances are rendered inactive because the nerve terminal region is relatively depolarized.     

Activity-Dependent Bulk Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis—A Fast,High Capacity Membrane Retrieval Mechanism

Central nerve terminals are placed under considerable stress during intense stimulation due to large numbers of synaptic vesicles (SVs) fusing with the plasma membrane. Classical clathrin-dependent SV endocytosis cannot correct for the large increase in nerve terminal surface area in the short term, due to its slow kinetics and low capacity. During such intense stimulation, an additional SV retrieval pathway is recruited called bulk endocytosis. Recent studies have shown that bulk endocytosis fulfils all of the physiological requirements to remedy the acute changes in nerve terminal surface area to allow the nerve terminal to continue to function. This review will summarise the recent developments in the field that characterise the physiology of bulk endocytosis which show that it is a fast, activity-dependent and high capacity mechanism that is essential for the function of central nerve terminals.     

An analytical model for designing yard layouts of a straddle carrier based container terminal

In designing a yard layout for a container terminal several decisions have to be made. In this paper we propose a model which provides decision support for the design of yard layouts of terminals at which straddle carrier are used. We assume that straddle carriers are used for the horizontal transport and the stacking of containers. For the proposed model we develop estimates for the expected cycle distances of straddle carriers. In this case, we distinguish between cycles to landside facilities and to the quay. Numerical results are presented for several parameter settings. For instance, we present results for a comparison of layouts where the rows in the block are orientated parallel with layouts where the rows are orientated perpendicularly to the quay.     

Presence of T-bars,intramembranous particle arrays and exocytotic profiles in neuroendocrine terminals of an insect

Definitive evidence is presented to show that arthropod neurohaemal terminals contain electron-dense T-bar structures with clustered microvesicles similar to those present in neuropilar and neuromuscular terminals. In terminal membranes of the locust corpus cardiacum, studied by freeze-fracture, intramembranous particle arrays, considered to correlate with the dense bars, are seen. However, there does not appear to be a spatial association between the arrays and the exocytotic profiles seen following exposure to stimulants for hormone release. The presence of the densities in both neuroendocrine and conventional terminals is discussed in the light of current theories for mechanisms of release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in arthropods and vertebrates.     

Complex nerve terminal formation in the phasic muscles of frogs

Synapses with complex nerve terminals consisting of several terminal arbors of a single axon divided by myelin segments were investigated using histological and electrophysiological techniques during experiments on the cutaneous-pectotoralis muscles of different aged frogs. Numbers of synapses with complex nerve terminals were shown to increase during the postnatal developmental process. The relationship between the complexity of nerve terminals, summated length of terminals, and size of muscle fiber is described. Some terminal arborizations at complex nerve terminals originate from nodes of Ranvier; these are marked by low quantal secretion and a distinctive pattern of sodium current decay along the path of the terminals. The causes and mechanisms governing increased complexity of nerve endings in phasic muscles are discussed, together with transmitter release patterns at these endings. It is postulated that growth and myelination processes occur in parallel at the nerve terminal.A. A. Ukhtomskii Physiological Institute, Leningrad State University; S. A. Kurashov Medical Institute, RSFSR Ministry of Health, Kazan'. V. I. Ul'yanov State University, Kazan'. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 99–107, January–February, 1990.     

Dynamin I phosphorylation and the control of synaptic vesicle endocytosis

The GTPase dynamin I is essential for synaptic vesicle endocytosis in nerve terminals. It is a nerve terminal phosphoprotein that is dephosphorylated on nerve terminal stimulation by the calcium-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin and then rephosphorylated by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 on termination of the stimulus. Because of its unusual phosphorylation profile, the phosphorylation status of dynamin I was assumed to be inexorably linked to synaptic vesicle endocytosis; however, direct proof of this link has been elusive until very recently. This review will describe current knowledge regarding dynamin I phosphorylation in nerve terminals and how this regulates its biological function with respect to synaptic vesicle endocytosis.     

Epidermal fine structure of the toe tips of Sphaerodactylus cinereus (Reptilia, Gekkonidae)

This paper deals with epidermal structures of the sphaerodactyline gecko Sphaerodactylus cinereus : adhesive pads, cutaneous sensilla and intraepidermal axon terminals.
The adhesive pad is restricted to a single terminal scale and bears approximately 6,000 setae. The setae are complex, hair-like structures which branch and sub-branch up to five times. The terminal ends are shaped like inverted cones. They provide the friction which enables the gecko to walk even on vertical glass-plates.
Cutaneous sensilla of supposed mechanoreceptive function are found in groups of three or four at the anterior free edge of all dorsal and distal scales of the digit. The sensillum consists of a circular platelet in an epidermal depression bordered by an annular furrow and two or three bristles in a central position.
Discoid axon terminals in the digital scales are located between relatively stiff structures: the corneous layers of the epidermis and a layer of tonofibrillar bundles. The axon terminals are hypothesized to be sensitive to the internal pressure depending on hyperextension of the toe.     

Connections of field 17 of the visual cortex with the mammillary nuclei in cats]

Using optical techniques by Nauta--Gygax, Wiitanen and Eager, degenerating nerve fibres and terminals were demonstrated to be present in the hypothalamic mammillary nuclei 9 days after a part of field 17 of the brain cortex was extirpated. Electron microscopic examination revealed different changes in large and small terminals of the boutons 5, 7 and 11 days after similar operations. The data represented demonstrate direct monosynaptic bilateral connections in field 17 of the optic cortex with the hypothalamic mammillary nuclei in cats. They are realized by fine fibrillae terminating mainly in large terminal boutons which form synapses on big and small dendritic branches. Thus, there is a structural base for the immediate influence of the optic cortex on the posterior hypothalamus.     

Cytophysiology of neurosecretory axon terminals in the brain of an annelid (Ophryotrocha puerilis,Polychaeta)

Summary In the posterior part of the brain of the protandric polychaete Ophryotrocha puerilis neurosecretory cells form prominent axon terminals. The terminals are arranged in two complexes. The perikarya of these presumably monopolar neurons are scattered in the anterior part of the cerebral perikaryal layer. In females the terminals store large amounts of neurosecretory material. It has been suggested earlier that neurosecretions of the terminals may play a role during sex reversal from females to males. Application of histamine caused the release of neurosecretory material from the respective terminals in females. However, this discharge was not followed by sex reversal. Application of reserpine had no influence on the terminals. Neither by in vivo observation nor by ultrastructural analysis any effect of reserpine on the terminal complexes could be observed. In isolated terminals filled with neurosecretory material from females, catecholamines could not be detected by HPLC. Also, polyclonal antibodies against dopamine did not stain the terminal complexes. Furthermore, the complexes did not develop any fluorescence after glyoxylic acid treatment. Therefore, the present results contradict the hypothesis that the neurosecretory material of the respective axon terminals is catecholaminergic and that it is involved in sex differentiation. The function of the secretory neurons studied here remains unclear.Abbreviations AT axon terminal - CA catecholamine(s) - DA dopamine - DAB diaminobenzidine - GA glyoxylic acid - GIF glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence - LY Lucifer Yellow - MB methylene blue - NSM neurosecretory material - OTH ootropic hormone - TC terminal complex