Port Management: Terminal Operations and Value-Added Services Differences

Introduction

Port operations serve as a vital link between land and sea, constituting one of the cornerstones of global trade. However, these operations exhibit significant differences at the terminal level. Particularly, the processes and services conducted at container terminals are crucial for the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the port.

Operation Flows at Container Terminals:

In container terminals, the processes conducted by containers entering the port at the registration office form the foundation of terminal operations. During this process, the necessary information for the container’s entry is provided, and physical examinations such as seal checks and damage assessments are carried out. Subsequently, vehicles are directed to the port gate.

Container Loading and Unloading Flows:

The flows of containers to be loaded onto the ship or unloaded from the ship vary in container terminals. These flows include combinations of elements such as factory, gate, apron, stacking areas, and CFS. Especially, the flows of loading full containers and loading empty containers add complexity to terminal operations.

Efficiency Measurement of Port Operations:

Various measurement criteria exist to assess the efficiency of port operations. These criteria assist operators in evaluating the performance of the port. The fundamental efficiency measurements include:

1. Ship Efficiency: Measurements related to the services provided to the ship within a specific time frame.
2. Crane Efficiency: Evaluated based on the amount of cargo handled per crane and the hourly movement count per crane.
3. Quay Efficiency: Measured by the useful utilization rate of the quay and service duration.
4. Terminal Area Efficiency: Ratio between the handled cargo amount and the gross area or net storage area.
5. Equipment Efficiency: Measurement of the cargo amount/number of movements per hour for each crane.
6. Labor Efficiency: The efficiency of personnel in handling the cargo amount per person per hour.
7. Gate Efficiency: Measured by the cargo amount passing through the gate and the terminal time of vehicles.

Ship-Quay Performance Indicators:

Ship-quay performance indicators detail important stages during the time spent in the port. They encompass the stages from the ship’s arrival at the port anchorage to the completion of loading/unloading operations. These indicators provide a detailed analysis of the port’s service process.

Conclusion:

Port operations require detailed planning and effective management due to their complexity and diversity. Efficiency measurements and performance indicators guide operators in optimizing their operations and increasing cost-effectiveness. Regularly conducting these measurements and continuously improving operations are crucial for ports to maintain their competitive advantage and adapt to the dynamics of global trade.