Title: An optimization method for discrete berth allocation considering pier transitions
Speaker: Miss Zhaojing Yang (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
Date: Nov 11, 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Venue: Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing Two, G/F, Run Run Shaw Building, HKU
Registration Link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/QKYrrVmmtg
ITS Student Committee will provide snacks and beverages for registered participants.
Abstract: Maritime transportation is vital for global trade but is experiencing increasing pressure at ports due to rising freight volumes and fleet sizes. This study addresses the problem of optimizing berth allocation to enhance port efficiency. A mixed-integer linear programming model is proposed to minimize the product of ship cargo loading duration and ships' cargo loading completion times, reflecting the combined impact of these factors. The model uses cargo loading duration as a proxy for ship size to determine berth allocation and incorporates dynamic arrival times, draft compatibility between ships and piers, and necessary transitions between deep-and shallow-draft piers. A case study of Hong Kong Port demonstrates the model's practical applicability and effectiveness in providing feasible berth allocation solutions. A sensitivity analysis of transition times between piers reveals a phased pattern in the objective function value, which stabilizes after reaching a certain threshold. An additional sensitivity analysis examining the number of quay cranes (QCs) shows diminishing marginal returns as QC deployment increases. The findings provide practical insights for port managers for optimizing berth allocation plans and improving operation efficiency. The study also suggests adjusting ship speeds to manage transition times and identifying the optimal number of QCs.
Bios: Yang Zhaojing received her Bachelor’s Degree from Beijing Jiao Tong University in 2023. She is currently a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Hans Wang Shuaian in The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Her research interest is using Operations Research to solve shipping scheduling problems.
