Ship‐Berth Link as Bulk Queueing System in Ports

The differing kinds of cargo ships with variable loads arrive in seaports and river ports. Single ships are predominant in seaports and they arrive with differing sizes of loads in some time periods. Moreover, these variable groups of loads require single service. However, in the river ports, the kinds of arriving cargo ships can be in the form of the single ships and in groups as pushed or pulled convoys or tows of barges. Also, every barge requires single service in a wharf or within a harbor. In both cases there is an analogy between the arrivals in variable groups of loads and the number of barges in convoys. Therefore, in this study, an analytical methodology, with the help of bulk queueing systems, to analyze and to plan berth requirements in the ports, is developed and convenient graphs are presented. Stated methodology may apply for determining the optimum number and the capacity of berths within seaports and river ports.