Optimization of oil tankers handling at export oil terminals

Abstract

The problem of optimizing the process of loading a tanker with oil products is examined in the paper. A common oil terminal layout is briefly described. The handling time for all scheduled vessels (minimization of this indicator is required) and the total time of vessels in queue (minimization is also required) are selected as optimality criteria. It is noted that this problem is interconnected with the problem of berth allocation, known in the international scientific literature as the berth allocation problem (BAP). The current state of the BAP is considered, and the development of this problem is analyzed. It is noted that research on this topic mainly focuses on container terminals and, to a lesser extent, on terminals specialized for bulk cargo. The number of BAP studies for oil terminals is not large. The task of developing a spreadsheet-based mathematical model, which would make it possible to compare berth allocation options at an oil terminal and select the optimal one, is set in the paper. The main variables of the model, their relationships, accepted assumptions and scenarios are described. Simulation results are presented and they clearly demonstrate the difference between the conditional option of the complete absence of dispatching at the terminal and the option of rational dispatching, i. e. rational distribution of vessels among berths. It is noted that even with an insignificant difference in the moment of completing the handling of all scheduled vessels, there is a significant difference between the total duration of vessel downtime. Conclusions and main possible directions for further research on this topic are formulated.