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Container terminal automation: revealing distinctive terminal characteristics and operating parameters

Author

Listed:
  • Geraldine Knatz

    (University of Southern California)

  • Theo Notteboom

    (Maritime Institute, Faculty of Law and Criminology, Ghent University
    Department of Transport and Regional Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Antwerp
    Faculty of Sciences, Antwerp Maritime Academy)

  • Athanasios A. Pallis

    (University of Piraeus)

Abstract

This study focuses on the automation of terminal equipment used to handle containers. A dataset was compiled, which includes 63 fully and semi-automated container terminals in operation around the world, their organizational features, technical dimensions, and the maritime and urban markets they serve. The data analysis focuses on where, when, under which conditions, and to what extent container terminals were automated, and who is responsible for implementing terminal automation. Only 3% of the world’s container terminals were found to be either fully or semi-automated. A survey-based analysis of global terminal operators identifies how they implement their automation and the time necessary for terminal operators to start realizing a return on their investment. The results systematically map global automated terminal characteristics. Acknowledging that not all container terminals are candidates for automation of terminal equipment, this paper contributes to extant literature by presenting a systematic review of all global automated terminals in order to substantiate or refute any perceptions that might exist on their characteristics, for example, in terms of minimum cargo volumes needed for automation. The findings can provide some guidance to market actors considering investments in automation and public and private port authority decision makers that might also commit resources to automation.

Suggested Citation

  • Geraldine Knatz & Theo Notteboom & Athanasios A. Pallis, 2022. "Container terminal automation: revealing distinctive terminal characteristics and operating parameters," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 24(3), pages 537-565, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:marecl:v:24:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1057_s41278-022-00240-y
    DOI: 10.1057/s41278-022-00240-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Notteboom, Theo E. & Parola, Francesco & Satta, Giovanni, 2019. "The relationship between transhipment incidence and throughput volatility in North European and Mediterranean container ports," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 371-381.
    2. Athanasios A Pallis & Theo E Notteboom & Peter W De Langen, 2008. "Concession Agreements and Market Entry in the Container Terminal Industry," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 10(3), pages 209-228, September.
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    4. Alberto Camarero Orive & José Ignacio Parra Santiago & María Magdalena Esteban-Infantes Corral & Nicoletta González-Cancelas, 2020. "Strategic Analysis of the Automation of Container Port Terminals through BOT (Business Observation Tool)," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-14, February.
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    8. Theo Notteboom & Thanos Pallis & Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2021. "Disruptions and resilience in global container shipping and ports: the COVID-19 pandemic versus the 2008–2009 financial crisis," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 23(2), pages 179-210, June.
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    13. Parola, Francesco & Notteboom, Theo & Satta, Giovanni & Rodrigue, Jean-Paul, 2013. "Analysis of factors underlying foreign entry strategies of terminal operators in container ports," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 72-84.
    14. Hercules E. Haralambides, 2019. "Gigantism in container shipping, ports and global logistics: a time-lapse into the future," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 21(1), pages 1-60, March.
    15. Daniel Olivier, 2005. "Private Entry and Emerging Partnerships in Container Terminal Operations: Evidence from Asia," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 7(2), pages 87-115, June.
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    17. Jiawei Ge & Mo Zhu & Mei Sha & Theo Notteboom & Wenming Shi & Xuefeng Wang, 2021. "Towards 25,000 TEU vessels? A comparative economic analysis of ultra-large containership sizes under different market and operational conditions," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 23(4), pages 587-614, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaojun Li & Ran Zhou & Lequn Zhu, 2024. "Research on Energy Saving Effect of Parallel and Perpendicular Yard Layouts under Different Proportions of Transshipment at the Automated Container Terminal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-19, August.

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