Abstract

This paper describes a methodology designed to support the decision-making process by developing seaport infrastructure to meet future demand. In order to determine an optimum number of berths at a sea port, the queuing theory is applied in the light of port facilities and activities. The aim is to avoid inadvertent over and under-building. Within this methodology, the movements in port should firstly be analyzed. The waiting time of vessels outside the port and in queue is calculated in accordance with the considered queuing model. The theoretical functions representing the actual vessel arrival and service time distributions are determined. For the economic considerations, cost estimate studies including cost of port and waiting vessels are carried out. Finally, the optimum number of berths that minimizes the total port costs can be decided. Both proposed mathematical and economical models are applied to Alexandria port in Egypt.

Key words: Port capacity, port economy, port modeling, queuing theory.