Port Logistics: Analysis, Mathematical Modeling and Operations Simulation Aiming to Improve Operational Efficiency

Description: With the new world organization, based on the constitution of global markets, the creation of efficient logistics systems capable of flowing production to foreign markets is required. Thus, ports, as transport agents, must be analyzed as an extremely important link in the integration of the national and global market and their modernization is among the main actions to be developed in the national cost reduction plan, as well as in increased exports. Brazil, due to its outstanding characteristics in the maritime and fluvial sectors, as it has 7,408 km of border with the Atlantic Ocean (the main port of entry and exit of cargo to the world) and due to the gain of scale and low cost, presents the waterway modal with the largest amount of cargo discharged from the country abroad. Therefore, the restructuring of the port system is imperative, making it crucial to analyze and evaluate the performance of ports / terminals to improve and expand the importance and development of a region or country. The analysis of Brazilian ports / terminals as well as the agents involved in waterway transport activity (whether industries, port operators, navigators, etc.) is vital for regional and national development, as ports are inbound and outbound for connections. with the market and, thus, the inefficiency or bottlenecks presented in the logistics-port operations may become impediment for the Brazilian development. As a result of this approach, the main thrust of this proposal can be summarized as follows: development of mathematical modeling and simulation methods associated with port logistics (including maritime transport operations) to allow comparative analysis between ports / Brazilian and some international terminals, regarding operational efficiency in order to reduce unwanted conditions as well as high costs.

Teachers:

Students:

  • Beatriz Chow
  • Jacy Fonseca
  • Melina Vargas (mastering)