Effects of storage block layout and automated yard crane systems on the performance of seaport container terminals

As a decoupling point between waterside and landside transport, the container yard plays a major role for the competitiveness of container terminals. One of the latest trends in container yard operations is the automated rail-mounted-gantry-crane system, which offers dense stacking along with high productivity. In this paper, the strategic design of rail-mounted-gantry-crane systems is investigated. A simulation study is conducted to evaluate the effects of four rail-mounted-gantry-crane systems and 385 yard block layouts—differing in block length, width, and height—on the yard and terminal performance.