Modelling Dry Port Systems in the Framework of Inland Waterway Container Terminals

Overcoming the global sustainability challenges of logistics requires applying solutions that minimize the negative effects of logistics activities.The most efficient way of doing so is through intermodal transportation(IT).Current IT systems rely mostly on road,rail,and sea transport,not inland waterway transport.Developing dry port(DP)terminals has been proven as a sustainable means of promoting and utilizing IT in the hinterland of seaport container terminals.Conventional DP systems consolidate container flows from/to seaports and integrate road and rail transportation modes in the hinterland which improves the sustainability of the whole logistics system.In this article,to extend literature on the sustainable development of different categories of IT terminals,especially DPs,and their varying roles,we examine the possibility of developing DP terminals within the framework of inland waterway container terminals(IWCTs).Establishing combined road–rail–inland waterway transport for observed container flows is expected to make the IT systems sustainable.As such,this article is the first to address the modelling of such DP systems.After mathematically formulating the problem of modelling DP systems,which entailed determining the number and location of DP terminals for IWCTs,their capacity,and their allocation of container flows,we solved the problem with a hybrid metaheuristic model based on the Bee Colony Optimisation(BCO)algorithmand themeasurement of alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution(i.e.,MARCOS)multi-criteria decision-making method.The results from our case study of the Danube region suggest that planning and developingDP terminals in the framework of IWCTs can indeed be sustainable,as well as contribute to the development of logistics networks,the regionalisation of river ports,and the geographic expansion of their hinterlands.Thus,the main contributions of this article are in proposing a novel DP concept variant,mathematically formulating the problems of its modelling,and developing an encompassing hybrid metaheuristic approach for treating the complex nature of the problem adequately.

Analysis and Countermeasures of a Lightning Accident Suffered by Hangjun 12

In the evening of October 17, 2012, the vessel Hangjun 12 of Changhang Wuhan Engineering Bureau was struck by lightning when working in Malaysia red ridge channel. In the lightning accident, the weather instrument of the ship was destroyed by the lightning to the ground, and the electronic information equipment in the vessel was influenced by induction lightning, which had damaged the electronic information system and elec- trical equipment. According to the Code for Design Protection of Structures against Lightning （ GB 50057-2010）, this lightning accident suffered by Hangjun 12 was analyzed theoretically from aspects of the protection scope of the two lightning reds, main measures against lightning electromag- netic impulse, and specific reasons for the lightning accident. Finally, some measures to prevent the ship from being struck by lightning were put forward, such as improving countermeasures against direct lightning flash, enhancing equipotential bonding and shielding measures and so forth.

A novel approach for navigational safety evaluation of inland waterway ships under uncertain environment

This paper proposes a safety evaluation model of inland waterway ship navigation based on the fuzzy theory and evidential reasoning(ER)approach.The proposed model is a three-level hierarchical system consisting of 18 indicators that are identified and determined through literature review and expert surveys.By using fuzzy theory,the factors of the index level are converted into belief distributions,and the information of indicators within each level is merged by using the ER approach so that the evaluation of the ship’s navigation safety can be realized.This model can deal with multi-source information and both qualitative and quantitative indicators in an integrated framework.Some case studies on the safety status of ships navigating in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River during dry season are conducted to validate the feasibility and practicability of the proposed model.The results show that the risk levels obtained from the proposed model are consistent with the real-life situation to a large extent.The novel model proposed in this study provides a useful reference for maritime safety management and will help managers and decision-makers in the risk prevention and early warning of inland waterway transportation accidents.