AUTONOMOUS PORT VEHICLE FLEET MANAGEMENT

The continuous development of maritime trade over the last decades has led to a significant growth of needs in every section of maritime transport and port operations. During the next 5 years the annual volume at global container terminals will rise significantly, making terminal utilization rates higher than the ones where the systems operate optimally. There is a need for finding more efficient, quick and economic ways of transporting, handling and storing goods as well as seeking more productive strategies for yard management and terminal operation. Inspired by markets’ growing demands and the possibilities of transforming conventional vehicles into autonomous ones, an algorithm for smart job allocation and routing of autonomous vehicles (Straddle Carriers) in terminals is presented. With the 6th pier of Port of Thessaloniki, serving as a case study, a collision-free fleet management algorithm has been developed, aiming at guiding fleets of autonomous vehicles in port areas