Container-Terminal Logistics

As the actual decoupling point between maritime and inland transport, seaport container terminals play an essential role in the international container transport network, which is at the same time one of the greatest drivers and one of the greatest profiteers of the globalisation. In this chapter, the basic terms, facts and problems of seaport container terminals are introduced in order to prepare the ground for all following analyses. After a brief introduction of the container logistics sector as a whole, functions, operations and equipment types of container terminals are described, which is followed by definitions of several design and performance indicators for container terminals. Finally, a comprehensive overview on all kinds of planning problems arising at seaport container terminals is provided. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.