Optimal price schedules for storage of inbound containers

This paper discusses a method of determining the optimal price schedule for storing inbound containers in a container yard. The price schedule in this study is characterized by the free-time-limit during which a container can be stored without any charge, and by the storage price per unit time for the storage beyond the free-time-limit. The profit or cost models for optimal price schedule are developed from the viewpoint of a public terminal operator as well as a private terminal operator. The probability distribution of delivery times is expressed by a continuous probability function. Various characteristics of the optimal solution are analyzed by numerical experiments.