EURO 2025 Leeds
Abstract Submission

2239. Multi-objective container stacking to enhance productivity and reduce energy consumption at terminals

Invited abstract in session TC-32: Container Stacking and Yard Planning-1, stream Maritime and Port Logistics.

Tuesday, 12:30-14:00
Room: Maurice Keyworth 1.09

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Cihan Butun
Loughborough Business School, Loughborough University
2. Afshin Mansouri
Brunel Business School, Brunel University London
3. Ran Wang
Brunel Business School, Brunel University London

Abstract

Efficient container stacking in terminal yards requires careful planning to minimize unproductive activities and optimize cargo flow between vessels and customers. This study explores a multi-objective container stacking problem, focusing on operational productivity and the energy efficiency of yard equipment. A scattered stacking policy can reduce container reshuffles and enhance service efficiency but may increase fuel consumption due to longer travel distances for yard cranes and trucks. Conversely, consolidating containers in a smaller area and stacking them higher can lower fuel consumption but may increase reshuffles, negatively impacting service quality. To address this trade-off, we employ two procedures, an archive-based algorithm and an evolutionary algorithm, to generate a diverse set of non-dominated solutions. We compare the effectiveness of these methods and analyze their impact on fuel efficiency and the reduction of unproductive movements using real-world data from a container terminal in Spain.

Keywords

Status: accepted


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