Selecting Yard Cranes in Marine Container Terminals Using Analytical Hierarchy Process

Abstract

The time that container vessels and transportation trucks wait in a container terminal for loading and/or unloading of cargo is a real cost scenario which affects not only the smooth operation of ports, but may also the overall cost of the container trade. The main objective of this study is to provide a decision-making tool and also to introduce the concept of the Multiple Attribute Decision-Making (MADM) technique by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for solving the problem for selecting the best yard gantry crane among three alternatives including Straddle Carriers (SCs), Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) and Rail Mounted Gantry Cranes (RMGs) by integrating the quantitative and the qualitative decision attributes into a hierarchical process.