Evaluating Strategies to Improve Access to Marine Container Terminals and Streamline Gate Operations

Ports represent an integral part of global supply chains, vital component of the socio-economic activity in port regions and are the core for many business activities and port support operations. However, despite many efforts that have been undertaken towards the “green” development of ports, port operations and related activities are still a major source of pollution causing severe traffic and congestion along with significant environmental and economic implications. Although a great deal of research has focused on terminal operations, urban freight network modelling and environmental implications in freight transport, little attention has been given, so far, on the interaction of the aforementioned systems and the study of the impact of port activities using a systemic approach. To this end, this paper considers intra-terminal operations, port support activities and related operations as well as port access network traffic operations along with their resulting environmental implications. It evaluates, through the use of an integrated simulation platform, different strategies at a strategic, tactical and operational level with the aim to increase the efficiency of container terminal operations thus addressing economic, environmental and quality of life issues.