Integrated dedicated berth allocation and specialised handling equipment assignment in bulk ports

This paper addresses the berth allocation problem in bulk ports to enhance the operation efficiency of a bulk cargo terminal by integrating the berth allocation and handling equipment assignment decisions. Apart from deciding where to berth a bulk carrier, ports must allocate specialised equipment based on the type of cargo the vessel carries. The proposed mathematical optimisation model considers a discrete berth layout and specific transfer rates of handling equipment such as conveyor, pipelines, grab cranes and cement facilities, with the objective of minimising the overall port stay time. The developed optimisation model was tested with data retrieved from real-world bulk ports and it can be efficiently solved by the commercial solver CPLEX. Results show that it successfully assigns vessels to dedicated berths evading congestion. Furthermore, the model properly allocates berth positions and specialised handling equipment reducing the overall turnaround time, thus improving customer service.