BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Using the Port Process Simulator
The main goal of the project is:
To use the Port Process Simulator to mimic the layout
and operations of any port. The generic simulation
system, in the form of a shell, to be populated by the
user, provides port authorities and port operators with
a decision support tool. Daily operational and long
term planning problems can be abstracted and
investigated by simulating them under “what if
conditions” by changing the physical resources
allocated to them, including the layout of the port.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Expected results
Once customized, the Port Process Simulator will depict
both, geographic and user-defined features of the port.
It simulates port logistics processes which result in Key
Operational Performance Criteria, e.g.:
– Cargo through-put for port and terminal.
– Turn-around-times of vessels and land vehicles.
– Time at the berth, and
– Berth occupancy rate.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Approach: Simulation of
port logistics processes
The Port Process Simulator is a generic software system
that can simulate the layout and operations of any port.
The simulator takes its input in six major steps.
 Cargo Flows.
 Port Layout.
 Cargo Handling Facilities.
 Transportation Vehicles.
 Transportation Modes.
 Port Regulatory Environment.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Approach: Simulation of
port logistics processes
Once the user has defined these parameters the
software simulates the port processes. With its
generic nature the software is readily adaptable
to any specific port with an inclusion of, e.g.
picture files of the approaches to the port and
the layout of the terminal under consideration
as illustrated for a sample port in the graphical
user interface.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Graphical User Interface of PPS
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Advantages of the simulation approach
• Display and mimic the geographical and operational
“status quo” of the port.
• Plan and make changes in the layout of terminals
and in both, the maritime and land approaches or in
the cargo handling equipment used.
• Simulate the operation of port logistics processes
using the planned new layout and/or different
equipment without interfering in the port’s operation.
• Identify and compare the effects of the changes on
the port’s/terminal’s operational performance criteria.
• Knowing the effects of proposed changes prior to
making very substantial investments.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
The Port Process Simulator considers the
geographical entities of the port in the form
of “extracts” from navigational charts, from
engineering drawings or from a combination
of both.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
The shell of the simulation system is populated
by following the step by step process of a vessel
approaching the port from sea. Starting with the
approaches to the port and the courses to follow.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Following this sequence, the vessel engages
pilots, tugs, manoeuvres, moores, discharges
and/or loads cargoes and leaves.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Customisation of the shell of the Port Process
Simulator is achieved by means of a very comprehensive cascading menu system that is easy
to understand and to use. Yet, it takes account
of the complex nature of the combination of
the sequential and stochastic activities that take
place when operating a port or terminal and
which are facilitated by, e.g. the layout of the
port, its access, the cargo handling equipment
and the storage facilities available.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
The cascading menu system
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
The drawing tool enables the user to sketch
contours of, e.g. coast line, aquastructure,
infrastructure, courses of vessels and routes
taken by shore-based vehicles and, in the case
of container or Ro-Ro terminals cargo handling
Vehicles.
Vessels and vehicles follow these “tracks”, and
changing them, say in conjunction with a
different terminal layout due to the use of alternate cargo handling equipment, will affect and
Change the KPIs of the port or terminal.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
The drawing tool is complemented by
User Interfaces. Whilst the drawing tool
supports delineation of the port or terminal
and its layout in plan view, user interfaces
facilitate the selection of equipment and its
customisation according to the requirements
of the port and or terminal concerned.
Equipment can be selected by activating the
appropriate option offered.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
“Populating” a container terminal
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Simulation speed and duration are being
selected using short cut keys similarly as
for loading or saving a model.
Alternatively, the cascading menu system
can be used if preferred.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Simulation
THIS CAN BE
DONE EITHER
BY SELECTING
FROM THE
MENU OR BY
JUST
CLICKING ON
THIS ICON
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Simulator output is gathered on an Excel
Spreadsheet, ready for statistical analysis
of key operational performance indicators
(KPI) and their graphical presentation to
ease understanding and offer an immediate
indication of the effects of change in either
port/terminal layout or equipment employed.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Port process simulator output
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Implementation
This generic port process simulator permits the
abstraction and presentation of real life processes
as they occur in the course of freight transport
logistics with particular reference to ports.
The system uses standard simulation software installed on a PC in conjunction with a MS Windows
based operating system.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Implementation
Its operation needs neither an IT department nor
IT specialists to operate it. What it needs however, is extensive knowledge of port operation.
Due to this, it is particularly useful to small and
medium sized ports.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Benefits
The presented approach to depict ports, terminals
and the associated logistics processes related to
port operation has been developed as a decision
support and planning tool for port management
and operation. As such it supports gathering and
analysis of KPI, deepening of operational knowhow, exploring of alternate port or terminal layout and equipment selection in both day-to-day
operation and long term planning as well as
investment decisions.
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre
BALTPORTS-IT
- IST-2001-33030
____________________________________________________
Further information
For further information please contact a leader of the task team:
Dr F A Schmidt,
Senior Lecturer in Transport Technology,
University of Ulster,
Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment,
School of the Built Environment,
Shore Road,
NEWTOWNABBEY
BT37 0QB
UK
Phone: +44 28 9036 6221
Fax: +44 28 9036 6826
Email: fa.schmidt@ulster.ac.uk
____________________________________________________
Baltic Sub-Regional
Competence
The Port Process
Simulator Centre