The Design and Assessment of next Generation Automated Container Terminals

One of the answers to the ever-increasing transhipment volumes that are required within the same timeframe at the quays of the world's large container ports, is the automation of the processes. However, until now ECT in Rotterdam and HHLA (CTA) in Hamburg are still the only two stevedores that have fully automated the transport from quay to stack as well as the stacking operations. Both operators have chosen to apply RMGs in combination with AGVs. However, a new automated concept is about to be introduced: the automated lifting vehicle (ALV). In this paper a comparison by means of simulation and cost modelling is made between the operational productivity of an AGV-RMG and an ALVRMG terminal. We will show the pro’s and con’s of each concept and assess the dynamic behaviour in a detailed simulation model. Furthermore, we will compare the two automated concepts with a manually operated shuttle carrier (a 1 over 1 straddle carrier, in essence). The results show that for cost reasons, the ALV should not be preferred over AGVs, although you less vehicles to achieve the same quay crane productivity. Furthermore, ALVs are not yet to be considered as proven technology, which is for most terminals an important criterion to assess the project risk..