A model-based Decision Support System for multiple container terminals hub management

Abstract Paper aims To develop a model-based Decision Support System (DSS) that allows identifying the best strategy of the inter-/intra-terminal flows of the containers in order to increasing the performance of the hub under economic and environmental perspective. Originality The adoption of a dry port can effectively solve the congestion problem of a terminal only if an integrated sustainable solution (dry port location and container strategy storage) is identified. Research method The model is based on a heuristic computational algorithm for non-linear programming. Main findings The application of DSS to a full-scale numerical case show the model capabilities in identifying the optimal logistic strategies ensuring a low CF and in optimizing the cost due to transport activities. Implications for theory and practice It is possible to identify different strategies allowing to obtain an eco-friendly solution reducing, at same time, the costs for a given number of containers to be handled.