A container terminal represents a complex system with highly dynamic interactions between the various handling, transportation and storage units, and incomplete knowledge about future events. Hence, decentralized planning is the only realistic mode to govern logistics control of automated container terminals. In particular, the efficient use of transportation equipment determines the performance of the entire terminal. We present a simulation study of transportation activities, where different types of automated vehicles can be used and vehicles can be employed in different dispatching modes. The design of the simulation study reflects conditions, which are typical of a real automated terminal environment. Major experimental factors are the size of the terminal and the degree of stochastic variations. The main issues addressed in the simulation experiments are the relative performance of various transportation modes and dispatching strategies, the impact of stochastic variations in handling and transportation times, and the occurrence of deadlock situations caused by dynamic interactions between the various transportation and handling units.

H. –O. Günther is the chaired Professor of Production Management in Department of Industrial Management at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. He received his Masters degree in Management from the University of Saarbrucken and PhD degrees from the Free University of Berlin and the University of Mannheim, Germany. Dr. Günther is the Managing Editor of the journal "OR Spectrum: Quantitative Approaches in Management", and editorial board member of a number of journals. He has published widely in journals such as International Journal of Production Research, European Journal of Operational Research (EJOR), OR Spectrum, etc., in the areas such as production and operations management, automated manufacturing and assembly systems, logistics, and operations research. He has also authored and co-authored several books on Production Management / Production and Logistics. His current research interests include supply chain management and advanced planning systems, logistics control in container port terminals, operations planning and scheduling in process industries, and simulation and optimization of printed circuit board assembly.