A modelling and simulation methodology for managing the Riga Harbour Container Terminal

The paper discusses the key issues of the application of modelling and simulation for management of the Riga Harbour Container Terminal (RHCT), which have been explored within the concerted action project, "Application of Modern Concepts in the Automated Information Management in Harbours by Using Advanced IT-Solutions." The project was financed by the European Commission in 1995-1997 under the COPERNICUS-1994 Programme. It was aimed at improving logistics processes at RHCT, the largest container terminal on the Baltic Sea, playing an important role in the transit transport chain between western European countries and eastern countries of the former Soviet Union (Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine, etc.). The problems considered and approaches to solve them are not unique for RHCT, but are typical for growing harbours. Therefore, the results obtained could be used as a guideline for solving analogous problems at other harbours.