Modelling threshold capacities for the marine transportation of cement on the eastern-coast of the North Island of New Zealand

Abstract

Algorithmic functions are being called upon by all sectors of the global transport system primarily focused on obtaining the lowest cost per unit / tonnes per trip transported. This dissertation focuses on identifying data necessary to developing an algorithm to predict saturation of a marine transport system that specialises in the transport of cement manufactured in New Zealand. The transport system currently utilised by Golden Bay Cement is a traditional 'Spoke and Hub' distribution network with the vessels returning to the manufacturing centre empty, having no freight capability for the return voyage, due to the specialised nature and construction of the vessels.

It is proposed to use ARENA© Student Version program to run the algorithmic equations in order to model the marine (ship and barge) transport network of Golden Bay Cement. The algorithms developed for this project will be used to predict future transport thresholds in terms of HUB silo capacities and carrying capabilities of the existing vessels and the proposed new vessels. This prediction will scope for 20 years using varying GDP percentages to reflect potential economic conditions in New Zealand.

To prove the capacity thresholds, comparison of actual historical tonnage figures for vessels and HUB ports are applied to the algorithm created to model true time and tonnage constraints. Projections will be made based on various GDP growth rates and applied over 20 years.