Optimization of Empty Container Operations through Simulation, a case study of Shahid Rajaee Port

Port operation management plays a crucial role in the shipping industry and maritime trade. Various methods and tools can be used to improve port operations management, including the application of simulation software for port operations. These software are typically used to optimize port operations, capacity assessment, container loading and unloading traffic, storage management, container location and allocation, ship scheduling, and similar tasks. Shahid Rajaee Port, as the largest and most important commercial port in Iran, is one of the most vital and densely configured ports of the country, and its operation management is very complex due to the diversity, extent and overlap of activities. The use of simulation software can play an effective role in improving operational management in this port. Empty container allocation is one of the port operations which is carried out by the South Shipping Line- Iran Line company as the operational arm of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines Group and the main provider and responsible party for the majority of empty container operations. In this article, the process of sending empty containers to requesting terminals has been simulated using the ARENA software. The results show that by implementing management measures such as spatial distribution of empty container storage locations and asynchronous calling of trucks based on a pre-scheduled plan, the queue length and average waiting time in the queue can be reduced by up to 74% and 80% respectively.