A model optimizing the port-hinterland logistics of containers. The case of the Campania region in Southern Italy

This article presents an optimization model for the economic analysis and strategic planning of port-hinterland container logistics systems. The model was employed to investigate the inland multimodal distribution of import/export containers handled at the seaports located in the Campania region of Southern Italy. The loading units can transit through the regional off-dock intermodal and logistic facilities called 'interports', as well as through extra-regional locations which have a railway terminal, before reaching the final inland destinations or the seaports. The model mainly aims at highlighting and measuring possible advantages arising both from shifting the seaport exit/entry of containers to regional interports, and from employing intermodal solutions for inland distribution. The programming problem minimizes the sum of all container-related generalized logistic costs throughout the entire multimodal port-hinterland network. The logistic costs include transportation costs (by road and railway), terminal handling and storage costs, customs control costs, in-transit inventory holding costs and container leasing costs. A numerical prototype has been formulated and solved using a high-level programming language for large-scale mathematical optimization problems. The results demonstrate how the competitiveness of the regional container seaport cluster can be boosted by an interportbased extended gateway system with adequate customs facilities and improved railway connections.