Pipe Flow Modelling of Container Terminal Logistics Terminal - Essay Example

Research skills Pipe Flow Modelling of Container Terminal Logistics Terminal a) The Port of Alexandria in Egypt experience congestions and inefficiencies due to a Increase in the level of goods passing through it. In addition, the case study is a company operating in both ports Alexandria and El Dekhiela Ports in Egypt. The company handles all the container activities at the El Dekhiela and Alexandria container terminals. Both container terminals experience an increase in the exports and imports passing through it due to increased international trade across Egypt (ElMesmary, Song & Dinwoodie, 2014). The increased level of activities at the ports causes congestions because of an increase in the dwell time. The proposed pipe flow model aims at promoting efficiency at the container terminals in Alexandria Port in Egypt (ElMesmary, Song & Dinwoodie, 2014). The current logistic system at the port relies on the traditional approaches to clearing and forwarding of the goods at the port. The case study company has various logistic resources such as handling equipments, yards and labour. In addition, the company uses two separate logistics approaches, which include the import and export logistic processes. The import logistic process entails different activities such as vessels unloading by quay cranes and vessels anchorage at berths. In addition, it encompasses transportation of the containers to the yard cranes for the purpose of storage (ElMesmary, Song & Dinwoodie, 2014). The customs authorities inspect the containers in the various storage yards in order to provide an exit go ahead. Consequently, the logistics company avails the containers to the respective customers through tracks and railway system (Karmelić, Dundović & Kolanović, 2012). On the other hand, the logistic process for exports includes different steps such as entrance of the customers’ trucks into the terminals and handling of the containers from the trucks by lifters. In addition, the logistics company tractors move the containers to the quay cranes, which load them to the vessels. The logistics company model operates different activities regarding export and import processes. The current model aims at enhancing efficiency in the logistics process by integrating both export and import processes into a pipe flow. The pipe flow model comprises of various activities that link both export and import activities to reduce dwell time of the containers at the terminal. The model starts with vessel, which forms the imports’ process entry point. Three births follow the vessels, which enables three vessels to berth simultaneously at the terminal. In additional, a five quay cranes unload and the load the containers on 25 import tractors (Karmelić, Dundović & Kolanović, 2012). The tractors transport the containers to the eight cranes on the yard or thirteen heavy lifters. The company utilises seven import yards, which include one shared reefer yard, five general yards for imports, one empty yard for imports and exports and one shared safety yard. The containers stay on the yards to wait for clearance by the customs authorities at the port. In addition, the quay cranes or import lifts move the container from the yard to the customers truck in order to exit from the terminal. The export criteria start when the truck of a customer reaches the exports entry point. The export lifter takes the container from the customer’s truck and moves it to the yard based on the set percentages. The design of the export yard considers various aspects such as dwell time, customs clearance and capacities. The export lifters transfer the containers from the yards to the export tractors, and finally the tractors move them to the quay cranes. The cranes load the containers into the vessels to initiate the transportation process. Integration of the import and export process faces various limitations such as costs and bureaucracy (Shintani, Imai, Nishimura & Papadimitriou, 2007). There are various alternatives to the proposed logistic model such as the use of automated machinery to move the containers to the terminal and combining both export and import lifters.The feasibility of the proposed model is examined through a simulation process. The process involves feeding a computer programme with various activities of the logistic process to establish its functionality and viability (Shintani, Imai, Nishimura & Papadimitriou, 2007). The pilot studies of the model involve comparisons of the model with historical simulations in order to examine the difference in their efficiencies. The implemented logistic process involves the integrated model that performs both export and the import logistic processes simultaneously. Figure 1: Proposed Logistic Model Import Process Export Process b) The Hard System technique is useful in addressing quantitative and qualitative Issues in a particular organisation. The approach entails a critical examination of the various aspects of a problem in an organisation. The Hard System approach is applicable addressing various issues in the logistic department or sector of a company or country. For example, the system is essential in analysing various issues in the container terminal such as congestion, high dwell time, high costs and inefficiency (Stadtler & Kilger, 2005). The approach entails several steps, which include the identification of the problem, description of the existing models and identification of the objectives. The other stages of the approach involve development of the ideal model, feasibility studies and the decision-making process (Stadtler & Kilger, 2005). The hard system approach is essential in the process of making decisions regarding a particular strategy in the logistics process. The system provides individuals with a systematic process of establishing an appropriate decision. In addition, the feasibility stage is crucial in establishing the applicability of a particular logistics model in a particular company. 2. Supply Chain Collaboration Measures in Container Logistics a. Figure 2: Conceptual framework of container Logistics Supply chain collaboration refers to the interaction two or more individuals in the Supply chain industry in order to attain a common objective and mutual benefits. The collaboration in the supply chain enables various parties to share information and updates regarding a particular aspect of the supply chain (Cao & Zhang, 2013). Managers utilise the collaborative supply chain model indicated in figure 1 to enhance performance and efficiency at various ports. First, the companies receive the containers from the customers at the port. The managers then make common decisions on how to enhance efficiency in the process of moving the containers from the customers to the vessels. In this case, the companies combine the containers at the customs levels in order to reduce the duration of the clearance of the containers. Consequently, the containers are moved by common lifters to the common export yard that is essential in minimising the time taken to move containers. Use of common export yards enables the managers to evaluate the quantity of the containers in order to establish an appropriate vessel for transportation. Various collaborative supply measurement techniques are utilised by the managers during the logistics process. In addition, the criterion of using common vesssels enables the managers to share information regarding the suitable transportation routes. Moreover, the managers can decide on the best approaches for offloading the vessels at the destinations. Collaborative measures are essential in the container logistics process because they promote common decisions and information. The measures also enable managers to establish an appropriate competition at the port. The managers decide on the goal of collaborative supply chain during the initial stages of logistics. The goal of the collaborative container logistics is minimised time, cost and repetition at the port. The aspect of knowledge creation in the frame shown in figure 2 occurs at the customs and quay crane levels on the supply chain. The managers share their knowledge regarding various aspects of the customs and establish techniques for enhancing efficiency at the customs. This aspect of sharing knowledge is essential to establishing a reliable decision regarding the collaborative concept in the container logistics. Decision harmonisation entails the process of synchronising various opinions by the managers regarding a particular aspect of the supply chain. Decision harmonisation is essential in establishing an appropriate vessel for the containers at the port. In addition, it is crucial indentifying an efficient transportation route for the containers in order to reduce congestions at the port. The framework indicated in figure 2 enables the port managers and operators to harmonise various logistics activities in order to enhance efficiency at the port. b. The conceptual framework indicated on figure 2 can be integrated into the logistics Process at the Alexandria port in Egypt. Alexandria port does not utilise the collaborative approach in the supply chain, which hinders efficiency due the presence large number of logistics companies. The framework can be integrated into the export and import segments of the container logistics at the port in the following manner. First, the managers of the logistic companies at the port can collaborate on the aspect of offloading the customer trucks. The companies can also combine their various lifters, cranes and yards in order to promote efficiency in the supply chain process. The operation context of the supply chain entails various aspects of the operation such as execution, performance and continuous improvement. The operation context of the supply chain involves different elements of transportation and movement of containers in various terminals. The context of operation entails various aspects of vessel, trucks and trains loading, offloading and movement. The operation context involves the elements of moving containers from the consumers’ trucks, to the yards and into the vessels for transportation (Ireland & Crum, 2005). The supply chain concept of operation can be improved in various ways such as supply chain collaboration. Supply chain collaboration is essential in enhancing the flow of information within the logistics system. In addition, it enables various parties of the supply chain to share appropriate information regarding the changes in the supply chain operations context. For example, in the framework indicated in figure 3, the concerned parties in the Supply Chain at the port of Alexandria, share information regarding the latest automated lifters and cranes in the automobile sector. In addition, the parties discuss various approaches to container logistics at different terminals in the world. Collaboration is also crucial in the creation of information regarding various opportunities in operation sector of the supply chain. Figure 3: Alternative Supply Chain Adoption Model 3. Port Sustainability Management System Sustainability entails various initiatives by organisations to incorporate environmental and social awareness in their operations. Sustainable development concept aims at balancing different and competing desires against an environmental, economic and social limitation in a particular organisation. It helps various organisations to uphold environmentally friendly initiatives in their economic operations in order to promote green activities in the society (Baker, 2006). Sustainable development focuses on enhancing the livelihoods of the future generations in different parts of the world in order to enhance green economies. In addition, various organisations and authorities promote sustainable development in the society to enhance clean production and environmentally healthy products in the community (KUZNETSOV, 2014). The United Kingdom comprises of various small ports and huge harbours in different regions of the country. The ports and harbours provide the country with reliable avenues for various supply chain processes such as berthing, docking, loading and offloading vessels. The harbours also provide the government with reliable points for export and import activities, which facilitates its revenue (Lapinskienė, Šileika & Zobėlaitė-Noreikienė, 2011). The small ports in different parts of the country act as tourism and fishing destinations in the country. The ports enable the authorities in United Kingdom to retain local tourists, which is crucial for enhancing the income of the country. In addition, various individuals from other parts of the world visit the small ports in United Kingdom to attain an ambience environment for business and leisure (Baker, 2006). The ports also provide the local communities with adequate source of income from tourism and fishing. The communities neighbouring the ports obtain income from various activities associated with fishing and tourism. For example, they sell their fish to the local tourists hotels and families in the regions that are essential for economic growth (Pryor, 2003). Small ports in the United Kingdom fail to develop because of various legislations that hinder the ports’ expansion or maintenance in the country. The authorities enact different sustainable devilment regulations, which prevent the ports from growing. In addition, the laws focus on the activities of the small ports that limit various development activities at the ports (Nursey-Bray, 2014). The ports provide employment and livelihood for the neighbouring communities in the country. They ports also offer avenues for importation and exportation activities in the region, which is essential for economic development. The sustainability development laws refer to the “Green bullseye” that is used by the master harbours as guides to their sustainable development. The huge harbours in the country embrace various initiatives for sustainable development based on the models of the small ports. “Green bullseye” refers to a template by the master harbours to develop a model for implementing sustainable development because of various reasons. First, the legislations by various authorities in the country aim at controlling the activities of the small ports. Small ports in the United Kingdom suffer from different setbacks such as negligence from the authorities and depletion of the facilities. The ports also contribute minimal effects on the environment as compared to the impact of the master harbours. In addition, the ports enhance the livelihoods of the locals in various ways such as fishing, tourist attraction and berthing sites for small vessels in the country. The ports establish sustainable development by promoting social-based economic growth in the region (Dinwoodie, Tuck, Knowles, Benhin & Sansom, 2011). The authorities enact the laws to regulate the activities of the small ports, which creates an avenue for master harbour to develop their approaches to sustainable development. The sustainable development models created by the small ports are effective in enhancing social, economic and environmental initiatives in the country. The master harbours use the concepts of the small ports on sustainable development to developing their sustainable development initiatives (Gifford, 2004). Secondly, most of the small ports in United Kingdom are based on the local communities, which promote their ability to embrace sustainable development initiatives. The authorities enact the legislations in order to establish their efficiency in the concept of small ports in the country. For example, the authorities in United Kingdom enact environmental legislations targeting the small ports in to establish their effectiveness in a master harbour context. In this case, the master harbour utilises small ports as platforms to implement environmental legislations in the country (Dinwoodie, Tuck, Knowles, Benhin & Sansom, 2011). The master harbours in United Kingdom evaluate the effects of the environmental and social responsibility laws before adopting them in their operations. Fourth, the master harbours in the country impact heavily on the social and environmental aspects of sustainable development compared to the small ports. The authorities focus on the effects of the small ports on the environment before examining the effects of Master Harbour on the environment. The small ports are utilised to establish unsustainable development in the country, which hinders effective sustainable development initiatives in the country. The ports also lack adequate resources to establish effective, sustainable development initiatives in the country. 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