2013 Session: 344

• Exchange Rate Impacts on West Coast Container Port Traffic
  Abstract: Previous studies of the elasticity of West Coast container port traffic to increases in gateway costs have concluded that traffic is highly sensitive to cost increases. However, the major change in West Coast container port market shares has been the upward trend in the market share of the BC Lower Mainland ports (now combined as Port Metro Vancouver) from 9% in 2002 to 11% in 2011. This is difficult to reconcile with a high elasticity since the Canadian dollar increased by 36% against the U.S. dollar over this period, which led to higher port and inland transportation costs relative to US ports for Pacific Rim import traffic. The impact of exchange rate changes is explored through a regression analysis of Canadian Pacific Rim imports and port market shares. The results indicate that while the appreciation of the Canadian dollar had a negative impact on Lower Mainland container traffic, the effect was outweighed by increases in import volumes due to the reduction in the prices of imported goods. Estimates of Canadian Pacific Rim imports transhipped through US ports suggest that the share of US ports in Canadian traffic increased substantially over this period as a result of higher relative inland transportation costs. The paper highlights the influence of the differential impacts of changes in macroeconomic variables on port competitiveness.
  Authors: Davies, Philip
  Authors: Davies, Philip
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-0603
• Dynamics Between Newbuilding Ship Price Volatility and Freight Volatility in Dry Bulk Shipping Market
  Abstract: Dry bulk shipping is a major component of the international trade. As the newbuilding ship prices fluctuate drastically, it is crucial to seek the major determinants that affect the price fluctuation. This paper mainly studies the relationship between newbuilding ship price volatility and freight volatility in the dry bulk shipping market. An abundance of research has been done to verify the time-varying characteristics of newbuilding ship price volatility, however few have focused on the relationship between newbuilding ship price volatility and freight volatility. We have examined the newbuilding ship price volatility against the freight and other variables¡¯ volatility. This paper uses a two-step model. The first step is the measurement of newbuilding price volatility through an ARCH model; the second is the analysis of the relationship between newbuilding price volatility and freight volatility though a GMM regression. The result from the two-step model specification confirms that newbuilding price volatility is time-varying. Furthermore, the results reveal that the freight volatility positively affect the newbuilding price volatility in a slight level. The newbuilding price volatility is mainly affected by secondhand price volatility and exchange volatility. The results of the study contribute in a general sense to understanding the risk involved in newbuilding ship market.
  Authors: Dai, Lei; Hu, Hao; Chen, Fei-er
  Authors: Dai, Lei; Hu, Hao; Chen, Fei-er
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-1288
• Risk Perception and Communication at Maritime Transportation to and from Japan after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster
  Abstract: This paper reports the contamination-related impact of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster on seaport activities and international maritime transportation. It then analyzes the risk perception and risk communication after the disaster. First, the maritime-related newspaper articles published in Japan after the disaster were extensively reviewed. Next, 11 maritime-related actors, including port managers, governments, shipping companies, port operators, and shippers, were interviewed. The interviews were conducted from June to December, 2011. The results of these interviews revealed that the contamination-related impact of the power plant disaster included impacts on 42 skipping ports of container vessels operated by non-Japanese shipping companies in Keihin Ports, on radiation measurements of Japanese cargo at foreign ports, and on actions taken by the Japanese government and port managers. Then, the events observed after the disaster are explained along with the framework of social amplification of risk communication. They suggest that the risk communication made by maritime stakeholders successfully reduced the amplification of risk among stakeholders at the various levels of information sources, information channels, and stations. Finally, the lessons from the study are summarized, including the identification of factors influencing the amplification of risk, quick responses and appropriate countermeasures by authorities and port managers, and the introduction of systematic radiation measurement under the international agreement.
  Authors: Wang, Xiaoyi; Kato, Hironori; Shibasaki, Ryuichi
  Authors: Wang, Xiaoyi; Kato, Hironori; Shibasaki, Ryuichi
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-1574
• Measuring the Direct Economic Effects of Reduced Depth from a Lack of Maintenance Dredging of Ship Channels
  Abstract: Because of the Panama Canal expansion project, the need for deeper ship channels is constantly in the headlines. However, there is strong underlying concern about the lack of maintenance of ship channels to their authorized dimensions due to a lack of funding for the Corps of Engineers. As part of its project evaluation and prioritization process, the Corps evaluates alternatives to deepen or widen ship channels, but it does not look at the reverse—the effects of shallower and narrower channels. This paper looks at the current and potential effects of a reduction in channel depth resulting from a lack of maintenance dredging in Houston and Corpus Christi, Texas, and suggests a methodology for analyzing the direct effects of a lack of dredging. The analysis considered both current conditions and the potential effect of the loss of another 1 to 2 feet of depth. A variety of data sources was used, including Lloyd’s Register, pilot information, port logs, PIERS, Coast Guard databases, and market value information. Through interviews and data analysis several effects were identified: light loading; partial discharge at an intermediate deeper draft terminal before proceeding to the destination shallower draft terminal; maneuvering stern first because of the inaccessibility of the turning basin; and daylight restrictions. The magnitude of the effects of light loading depended on the type of shipper (broker/trader or producer/consumer of the cargo).
  Authors: Kruse, Carl James; Protopapas, Annie
  Authors: Kruse, Carl James; Protopapas, Annie
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-2214
• Global Intermodal Liner Shipping Network Design
  Abstract: This paper presents a holistic analysis and useful software for the network design problem of the intermodal liner shipping system. The existing methods for liner shipping network design mainly deal with port-to-port demand. However, a large proportion of the customers of liner shipping companies are located inland. Thus, it is necessary to cope with inland origin-destination (OD) pairs involving a change in transport mode from inland transportation to maritime shipping. This paper first proposes a solution method for the conversion of inland OD demand to port-to-port demand. Then, it presents a framework for global intermodal liner shipping network design. By virtue of the software tool designed, the proposed methodology is applied to a large-scale global shipping network example.
  Authors: Liu, Zhiyuan; Meng, Qiang; Wang, Shuaian
  Authors: Liu, Zhiyuan; Meng, Qiang; Wang, Shuaian
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-2480
• Container Relocation of Import Containers in Terminal Storage Yard Under Uncertain Pickup Sequences
  Abstract: The relocation of import containers is a key problem to reduce the reshuffle ratio and handling cost in container yard. Considering the condition of dynamic uncertain container picking-up time and orders, an uncertain picking-up sequence model was proposed based on the stochastic event probabilities. The Relocation mechanism of import containers was analyzed under the uncertain picking-up sequences. A reshuffle estimate model was suggested and the related heuristic algorithm was designed based on least-reshuffle-estimate rule. The simulation experiments reveal that the proposed method could utilize the uncertain information of picking-up sequence and improve relocation performance and the algorithm could get the satisfied solution in reasonable time.
  Authors: Zhou, Pengfei; Li, Pi'an
  Authors: Zhou, Pengfei; Li, Pi'an
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-2821
• Scheduling Container Vessels Under Handling and Arrival Time Uncertainty
  Abstract: We present a mathematical model and a solution approach for the discrete berth scheduling problem where vessel arrival and handling times are not known in advance with certainty. The problem is formulated as a bi-objective optimization problem that contains two optimization problems in the definition of each objective function. To solve the problem we reformulate it as a bi-objective bi-level optimization problem and propose a metaheuristic as the solution algorithm. The objective of the formulation is to provide a robust berth schedule by minimizing the average and range of the total service times for all vessels served at the terminal. Simulation is utilized to evaluate the proposed berth scheduling policy and compare it to two first-come-first-served policies usually adopted for scheduling under uncertainty.
  Authors: Portal, Isabel Maria; Kaisar, Evangelos I.; Golias, Mihalis M.; Ivey, Stephanie
  Authors: Portal, Isabel Maria; Kaisar, Evangelos I.; Golias, Mihalis M.; Ivey, Stephanie
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-4098
• Optimization of Quay Crane Scheduling Constrained by Stability of Vessels
  Abstract: Quay crane is a crucial resource constraint for scheduling loading/unloading tasks in a container terminal, while the stability of vessels should also be carefully considered in order to produce a feasible schedule. Unfortunately, the latter constraint is inadequately abstracted in the many previous studies of schedule optimization of quay cranes, sometimes leading to infeasible schedules. Therefore, a mixed integer linear programming model is developed with the incorporation of stability of vessels. In addition, steady-state genetic algorithm is designed for solving the schedule optimization problem. The results of virtual cases indicate that the proposed optimization tool can concurrently resolve both quay crane and vessel stability for producing a more feasible schedule. The stability constraint could also enhance the average performance of the Steady-state GA.
  Authors: Wang, Junjia; Hu, Hao; Song, Yuanbin
  Authors: Wang, Junjia; Hu, Hao; Song, Yuanbin
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-4016
• Analysis and Modeling of Freight Demand at Mumbai Port Using Regression and Time Series Techniques
  Abstract: Prediction of future freight demand for multi-modal transportation is one of the critical issues in seaport planning and development. Developing country like India is experiencing freight growth at about 10% per annum in the current scenario. The thirteen major ports and 200 non major ports handle respectively 75% and 25% of the total freight throughput of seaports. Among the thirteen major ports, Mumbai Port ranked at number 3 in the current year handles about 11% of the total freight traffic at major seaports in India. In this paper, an attempt has been made to analyze and model the freight flow data for Mumbai Port using regression analysis and time series techniques. The annual data series recorded for the last 112 years at Mumbai Port are used for this study. Using regression technique, several econometric models are developed and it is found that both multiple linear and single variable nonlinear models are suitable for estimating the inbound freight traffic. However, nonlinear model, power regression model is found to be appropriate for predicting outbound freight traffic. ARIMA (0, 1, 0) and ARIMA (1, 1, 2) are found suitable for inbound and outbound freight flow prediction. The economic indicator variables data are obtained from the data base of Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). The study may benefit port planning agencies for port infrastructure planning and development.
  Authors: Sahu, Prasanta; Patil, Gopal R.
  Authors: Sahu, Prasanta; Patil, Gopal R.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-4426
• Solving the Quay Crane Scheduling Problem with Time Windows
  Abstract: One of the most important operations in marine container terminals is quay crane scheduling. The quay crane scheduling problem (QCSP) involves scheduling groups of containers to be loaded and unloaded by each quay crane. It also requires addressing practical issues such as safety requirements (i.e. minimum spacing between quay cranes) and precedence relationships between the container groups. This study addresses the QCSP with one additional consideration: time availability of quay cranes. This problem is referred to as the QCSP with time windows (QCSPTW) in the literature. This paper discusses the genetic algorithm (GA) developed to solve the QCSPTW. It builds on a previously developed GA to solve the QCSP by the authors. The results of a large set of numerical experiments using benchmark instances highlight several key characteristics of the proposed solution approach: (1) the solutions for medium and large size instances are obtained in a shorter time than previous approaches reported in the literature, (2) the quality of the solutions are better for instances with less fragmented time patterns, and (3) the solutions yield smaller objective function values for some of the small and medium size instances.
  Authors: Kaveshgar, Narges; Huynh, Nathan N.
  Authors: Kaveshgar, Narges; Huynh, Nathan N.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-4845
• Cruise Line Revenue Management at Disney World
  Abstract: Cruise line revenue management concerns the operation of cruise lines, where the market demand is typically differentiated according to view requirements, bedding requirements, room locations and amenities. The essence of cruise line revenue management is to allocate adequate capacity among the categories of demand in order to maximize the revenue potential. There are multiple side constraints, including law enforcements such as capacity limit of life boats and child counselors, as well as business rule such as price dilution. The model we developed in this paper also considers potential expenses onboard by different demand. Numerical test is conducted based on production data. The result indicates that the solutions obtained through our model is valid and shows a significant annual revenue increase as compared with current practice.
  Authors: Li, Yihua; Miao, Qing; Wang, Bruce
  Authors: Li, Yihua; Miao, Qing; Wang, Bruce
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-5116
• Measuring a Port’s Performance Using Economic Value of Commodities
  Abstract: The marine transportation system plays a significant role in the United States and other countries’ economies. Ports play a vital role in this system by serving as gateways to economic activities. Depending on their cargo, some ports are considered as primarily container ports, bulk cargo ports, or a combination of cargoes. In the US all of these types of ports compete for federal, state, local and private resources. The heterogeneity of cargo, however, makes port performance comparison difficult. Conventionally, tonnage or tons per mile statistics are used in port evaluations. These indicators, however, do not reflect the monetary value ports helps create or the economic significance of their service. To capture the heterogeneity of cargo and the economic role of ports, we propose using the value of commodities as a port performance measure. In fact, container ports already collect this data, but bulk ports typically do not. In this paper we use the Port of Duluth-Superior as a case study and illustrate that a bulk port’s cargo value can be assessed as well. Further, we propose estimating the total real value of a port’s cargo, as opposed to nominal value. We also estimate the average real dollar value per ton moved, which ports can use for value of service pricing. Both indicators, the total real value of cargo and the average real value per ton, can be used for relative ports performance comparisons. To assess a given port’s performance over time, we developed a third indicator - the real value index of a port. The proposed port performance measures are constructed on an annual basis, are port-specific and use publicly available data. The methodology used in the project can be potentially replicated for all US ports.
  Authors: Simkins, Zamira; Stewart, Richard D.
  Authors: Simkins, Zamira; Stewart, Richard D.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-1395
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Systematic Network Design for Liner Shipping Services
  Abstract: This paper addresses a systematic design of liner shipping network. Many practical features in real-world operations are considered, which include multi-type containers, container transshipment operations, empty container repositioning, origin-to-destination transit time constraint, consistent services with the current network, and joint services with other liner shipping companies. Given a set of candidate ship routes, some of these routes must be used while the others are optional for use. Hence, a mixed-integer linear programming model is first proposed for the selection of the optional ship routes. Solving this model also gives the laden and empty container flow on the selected ship routes. Based on the results of this model, some techniques are proposed to refine the ship routes, by changing existing ship routes, designing new ship routes, and removing some ship routes. Finally, a large scale numerical test is performed, based on the global shipping network of a liner shipping company, consisting of 166 ports.
  Authors: Wang, Shuaian; Liu, Zhiyuan; Meng, Qiang
  Authors: Wang, Shuaian; Liu, Zhiyuan; Meng, Qiang
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-1886
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• How to Estimate Cruise Demand for New Port of Call Destination
  Abstract: Over the recent years, the cruise industry has experienced significant growth, becoming one of the most dynamic segments in the transportation and tourism sector. Research on the cruise industry is mainly market oriented, focusing on operations and revenue optimization management, while ports are mainly addressed in the context of the revenues generated by a cruise ship visit. Nevertheless, recent trends are in favor of new and diversified itineraries and, thus, several unvisited ports are seeking opportunities to penetrate the cruise market and become new destinations. In light of the above, the paper proposes a methodology for estimating the number of cruise ship visits that could potentially be attracted to a port, aiming at becoming a destination to existing cruise line connections within the wider geographical area served. The proposed methodological framework estimates the “cruise attractiveness index”, as a measure of the cruise port’s attractiveness in becoming a port of call, and subsequently identifies three alternative scenarios, under which the specific port could be integrated in the cruise line network. The end result is an estimate of the future cruise demand for the port of interest. An application is carried out for the Adriatic-Ionian seas of the Mediterranean region, one of the major cruise destinations in the world. The proposed methodology could be a valuable decision-making tool for both the cruise industry in terms of expanding its destinations, as well as for port authorities and other local agents aiming at attracting tourism capital.
  Authors: Tsamboulas, Dimitrios A.; Moraiti, Panayota; Koulopoulou, Giorgia
  Authors: Tsamboulas, Dimitrios A.; Moraiti, Panayota; Koulopoulou, Giorgia
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-2013
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Systematic Network Design for Liner Shipping Services
  Authors: Meng, Qiang
  Authors: Meng, Qiang
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-1886
• How to Estimate Cruise Demand for New Port of Call Destination
  Authors: Moraiti, Panayota
  Authors: Moraiti, Panayota
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-2013
• Measuring the Direct Economic Effects of Reduced Depth from a Lack of Maintenance Dredging of Ship Channels
  Authors: Protopapas, Annie
  Authors: Protopapas, Annie
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-2214
• Global Intermodal Liner Shipping Network Design
  Authors: Meng, Qiang
  Authors: Meng, Qiang
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-2480
• Container Relocation of Import Containers in Terminal Storage Yard Under Uncertain Pickup Sequences
  Authors: Zhou, Pengfei
  Authors: Zhou, Pengfei
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-2821
• Optimization of Quay Crane Scheduling Constrained by Stability of Vessels
  Authors: Wang, Junjia
  Authors: Wang, Junjia
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-4016
• Scheduling Container Vessels Under Handling and Arrival Time Uncertainty
  Authors: Portal, Isabel
  Authors: Portal, Isabel
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-4098
• Analysis and Modeling of Freight Demand at Mumbai Port Using Regression and Time Series Techniques
  Authors: Sahu, Prasanta
  Authors: Sahu, Prasanta
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-4426
• Cruise Line Revenue Management at Disney World
  Authors: Miao, Qing
  Authors: Miao, Qing
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-5116
• Dynamics Between Newbuilding Ship Price Volatility and Freight Volatility in Dry Bulk Shipping Market
  Authors: Dai, Lei
  Authors: Dai, Lei
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-1288
• Measuring a Port's Performance Using Economic Value of Commodities
  Authors: Simkins, Zamira
  Authors: Simkins, Zamira
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-1395
• Solving the Quay Crane Scheduling Problem with Time Windows
  Authors: Kaveshgar, Narges
  Authors: Kaveshgar, Narges
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities
  Session: 344
  Paper Number: 13-4845