Effect of entrance channel dimensions on berth occupancy of container terminals

This paper explores the effect of entrance channel dimensions on berth occupancy of a container terminal when making master planning for a new container terminal, to avoid possible bottlenecks for port's future performance. Therefore, a process-interaction-based simulation model is first developed to simulate container terminal operation, especially ship operation in entrance channel. Then a series of simulation experiments are conducted, in which dozens of container terminals with different numbers of berths and channel dimensions are considered to reproduce the microscopic, stochastic, real-time environment. Finally, simulation results show that the berth occupancy depends on entrance channel dimensions, and more berths, two-way traffic channel and less travel time in channel have higher berth occupancy given the same port service level. So that the effect of entrance channel dimensions, especially very long one-way traffic channels, on berth occupancy should be quantified when determining berth capacities at the master planning stage. Moreover, the analysis and simulation model presented in this paper may help port authorities and the planners to achieve a harmonized overall design in practice.