Integrated scheduling of gantry cranes, container trucks and yard cranes in on-dock railway operation areas at multimodal container ports

“Abstract

On-dock railway operation areas at sea-rail container ports play a crucial role in transferring containers between maritime and rail transportation systems. The operational efficiency of these areas depends on synchronizing rail and yard container handling equipment, including gantry cranes, container trucks, and yard cranes. However, time-sensitive container handling, seamless equipment coordination, and complex operational conflicts make multi-equipment scheduling a challenging decision-making problem. This study introduces an integrated scheduling method that both alleviates inter-equipment interferences and balances gantry cranes’ workloads. The underlying problem is formulated as a binary integer programming model using a novel space-time-state network. According to the specific model structure, a model reformulation method is proposed here to convert the original three-equipment scheduling model into a single-equipment scheduling version. Additionally, a Lagrangian relaxation-based heuristic is developed to efficiently solve the reformulated model. Numerical experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed solution approach under various instance settings and provide managerial insights into the problem. Computational results demonstrate that the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed solution approach. Furthermore, the results also indicate that enhanced operational efficiency in the operation area can only be achieved when the railway and storage side handling capacities are well-matched.”

Xia, T., Wang, L, Zhang, Q., Dong, JX, Song, DP, Zhu, XN. (2024). Integrated scheduling of gantry cranes, container trucks and yard cranes in on-dock railway operation areas at multimodal container ports, IET Intelligent Transport Systems.

The full report is accessible via: https://doi.org/10.1049/itr2.12600

Policy Bulletin 001: Eco-ships investment and price differentials

There are insufficient financial incentives to stimulate investments in eco-ships (where engines are more fuel efficient) risking missing emissions reduction targets.

In this research by Clean Maritime Research Hub’s Dr Ioannis Moutzouris and colleagues the price differentials are explored using data over recent years.

Policy recommendations include the need for:

  • Clarity and certainty around market-based measures and alternative fuels regulations
  • Green finance options to encourage investment in eco-ships
  • Fossil fuel levies to discourage conventional ship use and encourage eco-ship investments

Determinants of the price premium for eco vessels

“Abstract

Shipping companies face the trilemma of investing in cheaper but more polluting conventional vessels, in more expensive but eco-friendly ones or postponing their investment. We quantify the price premium paid for eco-friendly vessels and investigate its determinants. The results indicate that eco vessels trade at an average premium of 25% compared to their conventional counterparts, while the corresponding income premia are between 9% and 15%. Our findings further suggest that the price premium depends on the market conditions, with income premia, past price premia, and fleet supply being strong drivers, while fuel costs and market liquidity have a less important effect. The magnitude and significance of these drivers vary based on the market state and segment. Overall, the paper documents the adverse effect that the current technological and regulatory uncertainty has on vessel investment and highlights the need for further policy intervention to reduce market uncertainty and encourage green investment.”

 

IOANNIS, C. M., NIKOS, C. P., MALVINA, M., MICHAEL, N. T. & YAO, S. 2024. Determinants of the price premium for eco vessels. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 136, 104414.

The full report is accessible via: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2024.104414

Achieving the global net-zero maritime shipping goal: The urgencies, challenges, regulatory measures and strategic solutions

“Abstract

Maritime shipping emissions have been identified as a remaining issue and have been the key focus for a decade. This study systematically summarises the Imperatives, Challenges, Strategic Regulatory and R&D Measures based on our investigations and analysis. In addition to the strategies and measures we gathered and brought here for the goal of a clean maritime world, some tactical technology gaps were identified along with a breakthrough technology development idea to integrate marine vessel design and efficiency processes systematically.”

 

Achieving the Global Net-Zero Maritime Shipping Goal: The Urgencies, Challenges, Regulatory Measures and Strategic Solutions, Liu, P*; Xu, Y; Turkmen, S; Xie, X; Fan, S; Ghassemi, H; He, G; “Short Communication”

The full communication is accessible via: Achieving the global net-zero maritime shipping goal: The urgencies, challenges, regulatory measures and strategic solutions – ScienceDirect

A Literature Review of Seaport Decarbonisation: Solution Measures and Roadmap to Net Zero

“Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature related to seaport decarbonisation by combining the academic literature with case studies, industrial reports, newsletters, and domain knowledge. Through the literature review, the emission sources at seaports are categorised according to different criteria for better understanding. One of the criteria is the geographic location, which divides the emission sources into four categories. For each emission source category, the emission reduction measures in the literature are categorised into six structured categories including operational measures, technical measures, fuel and energy measures, infrastructural measures, digitalisation measures, and policy and collaboration measures. The first three categories have a direct impact on emission reductions, whereas the last three categories tend to support and facilitate the development and implementation of the first three categories. Representative case studies are selected from the UK ports to discuss their decarbonisation practices and pathways to net zero. We then propose a generic time-phased roadmap for port decarbonisation towards net zero, which divides the solution measures in each category into three phases to show their progressive processes. We explain the dependence relationships of the solution measures in the roadmap and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the roadmap. This paper could offer strategic guidelines to port-associated stakeholders to implement emission reduction strategies and transition to net zero from the system perspective.”

 

Song, D. -P. (2024). A Literature Review of Seaport Decarbonisation: Solution Measures and Roadmap to Net Zero. Sustainability, 16(4), 1620. doi:10.3390/su16041620.

The full report is accessible via: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041620 

Research and innovation identified to decarbonise the maritime sector

“Abstract

The maritime sector requires technically, environmentally, socially, and economically informed pathways to decarbonise and eliminate all emissions harmful to the environment and health. This is extremely challenging and complex, and a wide range of technologies and solutions are currently being explored. However, it is important to assess the state-of-the-art and identify further research and innovation required to accelerate decarbonisation. The UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub have identified key priority areas to drive this process, with particular focus on marine fuels, power and propulsion, vessel efficiency, port operations and infrastructure, digitalisation, finance, regulation, and policy.”

 

Ling-Chin J, Simpson R, Cairns A, Wu D, Xie Y, Song D, Kashkarov S, Molkov V, Moutzouris I, Wright L, Tricoli P, Dansoh C, Panesar A, Chong K, Liu P, Roy D, Wang Y, Smallbone A, Roskilly AP. Research and innovation identified to decarbonise the maritime sector. Green Energy Sustain. 2024;4(1):0001. https://doi.org/10.47248/ges2404010001

The full publication is available via: https://doi.org/10.47248/ges2404010001 

EMERGING RISKS IN MARINE DECARBONISATION: Time to set sail

Authored by Andrew Mackenzie FCII (Marine Claims Adjuster), and co-authored by Bayes Business School academics Dr Cormac Bryce and Dr Ioannis Moutzouris (a member of the UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub Consortium, and theme lead for advances in maritime operations, exploitation of digitalisation and green finance), this whitepaper provides an overview and guidance for insurers and ship owners in light of  International Maritime Organisation regulations.

 

To download a copy of the whitepaper please visit Emerging Risks in Marine Decarbonisation: Time to set sail (atrium-uw.com)

Pathways to Decarbonization of Deep-Sea Shipping: An Aframax Case Study

“Abstract

Deep-sea decarbonization remains an enigma as the world scrambles to reduce global emissions. This study looks at near-term decarbonization solutions for deep-sea shipping. Pathways are defined, which are appealing to ship owners and major world economies alike. The economic and environmental viability of several of the most advanced near-term technologies for deep-sea decarbonization are revealed. The environmental analysis suggests the necessity of new emission intensity metrics. The economic analysis indicates that the carbon tax could be a great motivator to invest in decarbonization technologies. Standalone decarbonization technologies can provide a maximum of 20% emissions reduction. Hence, to meet IMO 2050 targets of 50% emissions reduction, several solutions need to be utilized in tandem. This study reaches the conclusion that alternative fuels are the crucial step to achieve a net zero carbon economy, although bunkering, infrastructure, and economic hurdles need to be overcome for the widespread implementation of carbon-neutral fuels.”

 

Pathways to Decarbonization of Deep-Sea Shipping: An Aframax Case Study. S Farrukh, M Li, GD Kouris, D Wu, K Dearn, Z Yerasimou, P Diamantis, Energies 16, 7640. 2023.

The full report is accessible via: https://doi.org/10.3390/en16227640