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Efficiency of multi-trailer systems for

ship to stacks container transportation
Alex Goussiatiner, Senior Container Terminal and Transportation Specialist, Modern Port Technologies Inc., Delta, BC, Canada

Introduction All MTSs used for container transportation have a loading

platform with a specially designed ‘shell’ that supports the
A multi-trailer system (MTS) allows transportation of a larger
container on the side-beams so that the corners are free. As a
number of containers as opposed to the traditional single trailer
result, the semi-automatic twistlocks (SATLs) don’t have to be
systems. Therefore terminal and port operators consider the MTS
inserted or removed when a crane hoists a container. This speeds
as one of the options for increasing efficiency.
up the loading and unloading process.
In the 1980s operators around the world started experiments
with MTSs operating between ship and container stacks, and
between different container yards (or terminals).
Feasibility constraints
In the ‘inter-yard’ mode containers are transported a few Before considering a MTS for a terminal, the question should
kilometres and a MTS is made up of a large number of trailers be asked: Is MTS operation feasible in this particular terminal
(from four to seven). Usually, after transporting a trailer set to the setting? And if yes, what is the maximum number of trailers in the
destination exchange area, the tractor disconnects from one set and set that should be allowed?
connects to another one, which is ready to be moved back. Thus one To answer these questions, a number of feasibility constraints
tractor handles multiple trailer sets and trailer sets are used as buffers. should be checked:
In the ‘ship to stacks’ mode, the MTS transports containers Gross Combination Weight (GCW): GCW is made up from
from/to the wharf during vessel operations. In this mode, tractors the weight of the tractor, trailers and load. It should not exceed
usually remain connected to the same trailer set. certain level predefined by the tractor model. For, instance, if the
Nowadays most MTSs are used in ‘inter yard’ mode. However, tractor GCW is 200t, the MTS cannot tow more than two trailers
the topic of using a MTS for ship to stacks transport is still (loading capacity 60t, dead weight 10t).
alive. Recently a number of European operators have begun Maximum Road Gradient: A typical MTS has a preferable
implementing the MTS (two or three trailers in a set) for the short gradient of 1-2 per cent with an absolute maximum of 4 per cent.
distance ship to stacks transportation in high-density terminals.
Turning Radius: The terminal internal road system minimum
Certainly, this option is always considered when a wharf is located
turning radius should be greater than the MTS turning radii for
offshore and long distance transport to container stacks is required.
various speed modes.
The following paper suggests a new approach for planning
a number of MTS vehicles in the ship to stacks operation, and Road width: The terminal roads should be wider than the
provides Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats width defined by MTS manufacturers, which takes into account
(SWOT Analysis) of using a MTS for ship to stacks transportation, maximum number of trailers in a set.
as well as discussing options for improving each weakness and
exploiting and benefiting from opportunities. How many vehicles are required for the job?
‘Waiting for trailer’ delay is one of the elements of the ship to
Equipment options shore (STS) crane operational delays. Waiting is always present in
The following options are available at present: the vessel operations due to the fact that tractor-trailers (single or
multi-trailer alike) arrive at irregular intervals.
Semi-trailer Lead MTS (Short MTS) Suppose we use the following transportation quality indicator
A short MTS is made up of a tractor, a lead single axle semi- (TQI):
trailer and one or two drawbar trailers. The tractor is connected
to the lead semi-trailer using a fifth-wheel. During an operation, Td
TQI = *100% , where
the trailer set can change its size from one to three trailers, but the Td + Tw
tractor remains connected to the same semi-trailer. Tw = average time for ‘waiting for trailer’ delay;
Drawbar-trailer Lead MTS (Long MTS) Td = average ‘Net Duty Cycle’ – average crane cycle time
A drawbar-trailer Lead MTS is the system made up of several without counting any delays.
drawbar trailers (maximum seven), pulled by a ballasted heavy- We would like to make a hypothesis, that the number of vehicles
duty terminal tractor. The tractor can quickly connect to the first assigned to STS in the ship to stacks operation should be sufficient
drawbar trailer, using either automatic or manual coupling. The to provide a certain predefined level of TQI. The hypothesis is
trailer set in a Long MTS remains intact. applicable for both single and multi-trailer operations.
We show results of the simulations runs for transportation
Bidirectional MTS quality indicator in Figure 1 and 2. The input parameters for the
A bidirectional MTS consist of tractor and multiple drawbar simulation are presented in Table 1.
trailers with the drawbars installed on both sides, so the tractor If for instance we identify 92 per cent as the minimum level for
can be connected on either side. A bidirectional MTS can TQI, then the operation will require six tractor-trailers. N.B.: The
change moving direction without turning around. The feature simulation results are presented here for the demonstration of the
is beneficial for congested and narrow areas, for instance narrow concept only and will be different for each terminal.
quays, where turning around is not possible. Bidirectional MTSs Setting TQI higher will lead to less ‘waiting for trailer’ delays,
are currently in the experimental phase. and consecutively, to higher gross crane productivity, but the small

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Figure 2. TQI Simulation (Ship to Stacks distance 1250 m).

Figure 1. TQI Simulation (Ship to Stacks distance 500 m).
Longer distances for the ship to stacks transportation is playing
gain will require additional vehicles, which can form waiting in favour of a MTS. The difference between the ‘optimal’ dual
queues and will have a low utilization rate. trailer solution and the single trailer solution for the 500 m
We assume that using a MTS should provide the same TQI distance is only three per cent, while it is 11 per cent for 1,250 m.
level as for single trailers. Using a MTS helps achieve the
level with fewer vehicles. However, two main factors in MTS Strengths
operation are negatively impacting TQI: • Cost Effective (with the limitations described above)
• A MTS increases the ‘irregularity’ of the trailers availability for • MTSs are highly manoeuvrable: A typical MTS has all axles
STS cranes: because multiple trailers are arriving at the same steered for precision when following a leading trailer. It also
time, as a result, longer waiting times should be expected in features progressive braking to prevent trailer shearing. The
between the arrivals. system has a very small outside turning radius. For instance, for a
• A MTS increases the average cycle time for vehicles, as vehicles 14,600 m long trailer, the minimum outside radius is 14,100 m.
have to travel to a greater number of locations in the yard to
deliver/pickup containers. Weaknesses
The quantity of vehicles, determined using simulation and TQI • T he MTS might introduce congestion in the wharf and
as a criterion (Figures 1 and 2) are presented in Table 3. surrounding area and can block internal roads in the yard areas.
For the short-distance ship to stacks transfer the advantage MTS (as well as single trailer system) operation is coupled with
of using a MTS is minimal: it requires five dual trailer MTS STS operation. In other words, cranes must wait for the trailer’s
to replace six single trailer systems. That is probably one of the
reasons why multi-trailer systems are rarely in use for short Table 1: Input parameters used in the
distance transportation. simulation runs
But the outlook gets brighter as the distance increases. For the
Type of operation: Unloading 40 feet containers
average distance of 1,250 m, eleven single trailers can be replaced
with six triple trailer systems. Crane spreader type: Single spreader
Net duty cycle: 90 sec (40 cont/h)
Cost effectiveness Statistical distribution for the Triangular: Min 60 s,
We used the vehicle counts, determined previously, and crane duty cycle: Mode: 90 s, Max: 180 s
estimated equipment and operating cost for an eight hour STS Average vehicle travelling speed: 20 km/h (loaded)
operations shift. For the operating costs we considered the 20 km/h (unloaded)
following elements: labour, fuel and maintenance cost. The input
Yard equipment: RTG Cranes
parameters used as well as the results are presented in Table 2.
Looking at Table 3, for short distance transfer (500 m), the most
cost effective solution is five dual-trailer systems (‘bold text’ line).
Table 2: Approximate data used as input
However the difference in cost estimates between single trailer and
dual trailer is minor and both options can be considered at par. Equipment life cycle, year: 10 y
For long distance transfer (1,250 m) dual trailer and triple Annual banking interest rate: 8%
trailer solutions have very similar cost estimates. However, the
triple trailer solution requires one less vehicle. Thus it should be Working shifts per week: 14
recommended. Gross labour cost for MTS driver: 50 $US/h
The labour cost is the largest element in the cost per shift Fuel cost: 1.10 $US/Litre
estimation. The cost savings for the MTS option are greatly
Annual maintenance cost
impacted by the gross labour rates. The significant advantages
(% from equipment purchase price) 15%
for the terminal with higher rates may be insignificant for the
terminal with lower labour rates.

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TABLE 3: Equipment and operating cost estimates

Vehicles Total Purchase CostPerShift (One STS), ($US)
Required Price (US$) Equipment Fuel Maintenance Labour Total
Distance 500m
Single Trailer System 6 1,260,000 258 633.60 259.62 2,400 3,551
Two Trailer System 5 1,600,000 328 792.00 329.67 2,000 3,449
Three Trailer System 5 2,300,000 471 1,056.00 473.90 1,600 3,601
Four Trailer System 5 2,600,000 532 1,320.00 535.71 1,600 3,988
Distance 1,250m
Single Trailer System 11 2,310,000 473 1,161.60 475.96 2,400 4,510
Two Trailer System 7 2,240,000 459 1,108.80 461.54 2,000 4,029
Three Trailer System 6 2,270,000 565 1,267.20 568.68 1,600 4,001
Four Trailer System 6 3,120,000 639 1,584.00 642.86 1,600 4,466

arrival, and the MTS must wait for the crane and not leave while
the crane is handling containers in conjunction with another MTS.
In case of Gantry STS, alignment of trailers for the crane
spreader engagement takes a longer time then for a single trailer.
Also, Long MTS allows for only a one-meter backup movement,
which further complicates the alignment.
Our analysis indicates that one cannot expect significant savings
in fuel consumption and exhaust reduction in the engine while
replacing a single trailer system with an MTS, as the increase in
GCW will require tractors with higher fuel consumption.

Opportunities
In a case where mobile harbour crane are being used as a STS,
the MTS can form a buffer with trailers at the wharf. In this case,
drivers will disconnect from the trailers upon arrival and will be
dispatched for another job. The operation will become decoupled.
This will improve MTS efficiency as multiple sets will require
only one tractor. Congestion will also be reduced. Figure 3. Multi-trailer systems can introduce congestion at the wharf.
In a case of gantry STS, an interchange area can be implemented
to eliminate coupling, and reduce processing time at the wharf as Threats
well as congestion. The tractor operator will bring the trailer-set to
the exchange area and immediately disconnect. Mobile equipment MTSs with up to three trailers have been in operation for ship to
such as reach stackers, and straddle or shuttle carriers will pick the stack transfer for a long time in a number of terminals worldwide.
container from the trailer and transport it to the ground under the However, compliance with local safety regulations and possible
gantry crane. In this particular setting, bidirectional MTSs will be safety risks for a particular implementation must be evaluated.
especially beneficial, as they don’t require large amount of space in This is particularly true for MTSs with a larger number of trailers.
the interchange area.
A number of manufacturers are producing automation systems Conclusions
to guide MTS drivers and allow for quick alignment of the trailers The current downturn in volumes and revenues demands that
under gantry cranes.The Short MTS option allows quick connection terminal operators look for new ways to provide the same level
and disconnection of extra trailers. Thus operation can be optimised of services with less labour and equipment costs. In this paper we
as the MTS is used in the operation where it is the most efficient. have discussed ways of how the multi-trailer system can be used
Hybrid Powered Tractors, which are being tested now, can be to increase efficiency in ship to stacks transportation. Hopefully, it
used to reduce engine exhaust and produce savings in fuel cost. will stimulate interest in further research in this direction.

about the AUthor and the company Enquiries

Alex Goussiatiner is a senior container terminal Terminal and Transportation Specialist focusing on Alex Goussiatiner, P. Eng. Senior Container Terminal
operations and planning consultant with over the terminal planning and optimization of container and Transportation Specialist

twenty years experience designing infrastructure terminal operations. Mr Goussiatiner owns his own Modern Port Technologies Inc.

and processes, software solutions and simulation consulting company Modern Port Technologies Inc in Canada

models for container terminal and transport systems. Vancouver, Canada.

Email: [email protected]
From 1993-2004 he worked for container terminal
Web: www.modernport.com
worldwide, joining DP World as IT and Technology MPT provides operations management consulting
Manager in Jebel Ali Container Terminal, Dubai, UAE for ports and container terminals worldwide. This is
in 2004. In 2007, Mr Goussiatiner began working the place where mathematics meets with operational
for Sandwell Engineering Inc. as a Senior Container wisdom.

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