무선네트워크 기술을 이용한 컨테이너터미널 효율성 향상에 관한 연구

Abstract

The import/export volume is constantly increasing thanks to worldwide economic growth. In order to better handle the ever-increasing volume, the maritime and port industry is trying to introduce bigger ships and bigger ports with a view to reducing the cost and strengthening competitiveness through mass transportation.

Many ports are fiercely competing to become a hub-port of the region. Thus these ports are building large-scale port infrastructure, positioning as hub points, introducing state-of-the-art convergence technologies, and opting for an environment-friendly cargo handling system for more efficient port operation. Korea has witnessed a steady increase of container handling. However, Chinese ports are posing a major threat to Korea in attracting the Northeast Asia's import/export volume, as Chinese ports are developing and more ships are heading directly to China. In this context, enhancing the efficiency of container terminals plays a vital role in upgrading port competitiveness.

Major ports in the world have maximized the efficiency of port operation by improving logistic processes with e-business. With their productivity, economic efficiency, high security level and convenience, these ports are also adopting the most recent technologies to upgrade customer service. Container terminals are trying to hold a dominant position and strengthen their foothold amid the ever-increasing competitions. Therefore, these terminals are upgrading productivity and operational efficiency by improving internal processes with the advent of sectoral automation systems using up-to-date information technologies.

There have been many researches on how to improve internal processes of container terminals. However, looking at the contents of process improvement connected with in-land, they were mostly focused on automating gates by COPINO with truck compamnies or identifying vehicle numbers and tracing container cargo by RFID.

Furthermore, upgrading internal processes by whole or partial automation will not be enough to enhance operational efficiency of container terminals. In other words, we can enhance operational efficiency only by combining internal-external processes from the standpoint of logistic corporations and SCM that are connected to container terminals. This will require real-time information exchange with transport vehicles via wireless network, which will enable smooth flow of cargo and information between a container terminal and logistic companies.

Therefore, the present study will focus on analyzing the process between container terminals and outside logistic companies, researching wireless technologies that can enable smooth flow of cargo and information among different logistic parties, and examining current operation systems. This study aims to provide feasible wireless networking models and provide alternatives to enhance operational efficiency of container terminals.