Simulation of container terminal's operations

Optimal planning of a container terminal is a strategic measure to ensure its operation efficiency that is the key concern of intermodal chains' organization. To support the strategic planning of small and medium European ports in nowadays competition environments, the TRAPIST suite, a set of comprehensive and easy-to-use tools, was developed. This paper will introduce the developments of its simulation component - Terminal Simulation System (TSS). Conforming to the suite's technical specifications, the TSSs architecture was introduced to highlight the framework for the constructional modules, the operational shell, the interfaces, and the system indicators. Basing on the discrete-event simulation theories and methods, as well as the characteristics of the simulation shell, the process-oriented programming method was utilized in modules' developments. Following the validations of TSS, an example case will be illustrated to show the values of its applications.