Simulation-based rescheduling of the stacker–reclaimer operation

•A simulation tool was developed to support decisions when to interrupt ship servicing in favor of train loading.•Several stockyard layouts were assessed and the performance improvement using the rescheduling algorithm was investigated.•Using the rescheduling algorithm ships are served on time and rail operators received an improved service performance.

In this paper simulation is applied to reschedule the stacker–reclaimers operation to increase the dry bulk terminal's performance by reducing the waiting time of cargo trains being loaded at the terminal. Stacker–reclaimers perform both the stacking and reclaiming of dry bulk materials. Due to the differences in loads between ships and cargo trains, the time needed for stacking and reclaiming varies considerably per job. The simulation tool developed can be used to support decisions when to interrupt ship servicing in favor of train loading based on the availability of transportation routes and expected disturbances. An experimental study demonstrated that ships and trains have to spend less time in the port when the stockyard lanes are accessible by two stacker–reclaimers due to the higher machines redundancy. Using the stacker–reclaimers rescheduling function the average port time of trains decreased without significantly affecting the port time of ships.