A stochastic model for inter-terminal container transportation

We propose a novel stochastic model for the inter-terminal transportation problem where multiple container terminals use a common fleet of vehicles (ALV, AGV, multi-trailers and barges) to transport containers between terminals. We model the problem using a semi-open queueing network, where the vehicles have multiple container carrying capacities. Our solution approach is decomposition-based where we solve the overall queuing network as a closed and an open queuing network, with bulk service capacities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that considers bulk service in semi-open queueing networks. We numerically validate our model using simulated data where we find that our model results in errors of less than 5% for vehicle utilization. We then apply our model to real-world data from the Port of Rotterdam and show that our model can be used to analyze the throughput time trade-offs with alternate dwell point policies.