The challenge of determining the optimal berth location is usually approached by pre-allocating yard locations for loading in an area close to a pre-assigned berth, and to plan for vessels with large transhipment volumes, to be berthed close to each other. However, in case of a lengthy yard, multiple vessels in port at the same time, and considerations both for loading and discharge containers, the optimal solution is not evident and is only with great difficulties dealt with manually.

ARL has created an analytical model and an mathematically founded algorithm, which calculates optimal vessels’ position on a berth, minimizing mileage of CHE on the yard.

The complexity of the challange is expressed by the parameters which have to be taken into account before producing an optimal berthing scenario: Vessels' schedule -ETA/ETD-, vessels' length, physical berth configuration, berth unavailability zones in space and time, planned volume of containers and yard location for loading, and assigned blocks for discharge containers, yard physical geometry, and yard equipment (CHE) driving rules. Many considerings; all to many to be dealt with by human brains to any significant degree of detail.

Setup up the characteristics of your terminal once for all; re-import fresh data from your TOS, including current container locations, assigned discharge blocks and latest ETA/ETDs, and you can re-do your berthing algorythm repeatedle without any significant effort, and will get hard-core measurements support alternative berthing scenarios.

That's the value of math algorythms put to work for the transport industry!