The impacts of relocating screening scanners on efficiency of transshipment container ports: policy implications for the maritime industry

With the recent rise in the importance of logistics security around the world, it is worth considering relocating container inspection systems (CISs) to make port operations more efficient. This study aims to investigate changes in the terminal process when container screening equipment is additionally introduced in an automated container terminal. This research conducts a series of simulation experiments to compare two location alternatives of container scanners regarding terminal efficiency. When container screening is hardened, it is found that relocating the CIS to the TP on the waterside of the yard block to perform container screening effectively improves terminal efficiency. Although the expenses in screening containers to the USA and the time required to handle the containers may increase because of complete container inspection regulations, our research suggests this may not be an insurmountable issue.