Prediction Reliability of Container Terminal Simulation Models: A Before and After Study

The current financial crisis seems to be seriously affecting the freight transport system. In this scenario, transport terminals play a crucial role to avert the risk of recession by increasing their efficiency and automation. Only in this way is it possible both to reduce the price of the services offered (loading, unloading, dwelling, logistic services ...) and increase terminal earnings. In this chapter attention is focused on the container terminal optimization problem, given that today most international cargo is transported through seaports and on containerized vessels. Hence the efficiency of container terminals plays a major role in transport chain economics. A container terminal should manage in the most efficient way container vessel berths on the docks, inbound container unloading (empty or filled with cargo), outbound container loading and storage yards. This can be achieved by coordinating the aBStract