DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION BASED OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE ANAYLSIS OF MODJO DRY PORT, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Container terminal operation consists of gate, container yard, and train and berth operation. The facilities used in the container terminal are reach stacker cranes, empty container handler, and yard tractors. The loading sequence of containers does not follow a FIFO (first in-first out) policy, and hence, the arrival order of containers does not define the sequence in which they are loaded. The purpose of this study was operational performance analysis of container terminals for the case of Modjo Dry Port. The study determined key port performance indicators (KPIs) of container terminal, factors affecting operational performance at container terminals and productivity level for container terminal. The researcher proposed a Desecrate Event Simulation (DES) model and a heuristic procedure for container’s sacking plan and for gate operations. The main objective of formulating different scenarios was to find possible sets of input parameters, structural assumptions or model specifications that could lead to best performance. The data was collected using questionnaire, interview, conversation and observation the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result of the analysis indicated that the numbers of gate operations, truck visit time, container dwell time (equipment, labor and land) productivity, container traffic are among the key performance indicator (KPIs). The study found the factors that affect the efficiency of operational performance are gate capacity, gate working hours, and resources within the terminal and truck arrival patterns container stacking system, custom clearance, container dwell time, operator experience, yard layout and maintenance problem. Current container terminal productivity level is poor comparing with industry bench mark of labor, equipment, and land. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that performance improvement strategy is changing current stacking strategies to dwell time segregated container stacking strategies. In addition, specific recommendations were made to address the issues identified which, if implemented, could significantly address the current inefficiencies observed in the Modjo Dry Port’s operations