International, National And Regional Sea Transportation Evolution: A Simulation Based Approach To Improve Performances Of Ligurian Ports

Abstract: The paper presents an analysis of the international and national sea transportation sector with special focus on the Liguria ports (Genoa, Savona and La Spezia). Among other Italian ports these present interesting growing potential but are limited in their growth by lack of space and poor logistics expansion possibilities. The authors have identified a scenario based simulation methodology able to quantitatively evaluate possible strategies and investments effects. In such approach High Level Simulation (i.e. System Dynamics) and hi-Fidelity models (i.e. discrete event simulators) are combined in order to obtain a strategic Decision Support Systems that can be applied in several real industrial application. The paper presents the possible evolution of international, national and regional sea transportation with particular respect to the link existing among sea inland logistics, then is outlining a quantitative model able to describe the complex iteration among the various actors by defining their potentials and identifying the possible bottlenecks. This hi level model, implemented in System Dynamics, can be improved by implementing specific hi fidelity sub models using commercially available packages. The paper finally presents a real life application of the proposed methodology able to accurately model the Alexandria dry ports scenario connected with the three major Genoa port terminals: S.E.C.H., Messina and VTE