Cost model in function of optimal capacity planning of port container terminal

The aim of this paper is to show how the application of the queuing theory, as one of the quantitative research methods, could plan an optimal capacity of a port container terminal, which is one of the conditions for efficient functioning of the terminal. The problem of determining optimal capacity of the container terminal is reduced to calculating an optimal number of berths, since the capacity of the berth defines the necessary capacity of the other subsystems, and thereby the capacity of the entire container terminal. For the actualization of the mentioned research aim a model of total costs is set, whereby a combination of the number of berths and cranes for which the total costs are minimal is determined. This model can be applied for taking decisions related to manageability of any container terminal as terminals in current or future business conditions. The presented model is tested on an example of the container terminal at the Port of Rijeka.