Application of Queueing theory to port congestion problem in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper stresses the importance of queueing theory to the problem of port congestion in order to enhancesustainable development of Nigeria ports. Nigeria Ports are characterized with incessant congestionproblem in the recent past. This has resulted in diversion of ships scheduled for Nigeria Ports to otherneighbouring country ports which has caused the country to lose a lot of revenue. The effectiveness of aPort is contingent upon loading and unloading of ships. The traffic movement through a port is a complexphenomenon because of the random nature of the arrival and service time of the ships. This requires asystematic approach in port planning and management. Queuing model was applied to the arrival andservices pattern which causes the problems of congestion and proffer solutions to the problem areas. It isalso used to predict the average arrival rate of ships to Tin Can Island Port and the average service rate pership in a month. The study to found out the number of berth in Nigeria port is adequate for the trafficintensity of vessels but other factors leading to port congestion were identified through the content analysisof the interview conducted with stakeholders at the port. Policy recommendations that could make Nigerianports to be cost effective, more attractive and enhance quick turnaround of vessels at the ports were made.

Key words: Queue theory, port congestion, berth, arrival time, service time.