Port dynamic empty container reuse

Abstract

In this paper, empty container movements in the Los Angeles and Long Beach (LA/LB) port area are studied in an effort to reduce congestion by optimizing the empty container reuse. The dynamic empty container reuse is modeled analytically, and techniques are developed to optimize empty container operations. Several case studies based on current and projected demand in the LA/LB port area are used to evaluate the proposed techniques. Simulation results demonstrate that significant cost and congestion reductions can be achieved in the area, through reuse of empty containers.