Application of Queueing Theory to Seaport Congestion Problem in Nigeria

APPLICATION OF QUEUEING THEORY TO SEAPORT CONGESTION PROBLEM IN NIGERIA

By

1Oyatoye E.O. Ph.D Department of Business Administration, University of Lagos. Nigeria
Email: [e-mail]

2Adebiyi, Sulaimon Olanrewaju
Department of Economics and Financial studies
Fountain University Osogbo, Osun state. Nigeria. Email: [e-mail]

3Okoye John Chinweze
Torcelik International Company United.
Apapa, Lagos. Nigeria

ABSTRACT
This paper stresses the importance of queueing theory to the problem of port congestion in order to enhance sustainable development of Nigeria ports. Nigeria Ports are characterized with incessant congestion problem in the recent past. This has resulted in diversion of ships scheduled for Nigeria Ports to other neighbouring country ports while has caused the country loose a lot of revenue. The effectiveness of Port is contingent upon loading and unloading of ships. The traffic movement through a port is a complex phenomenon because of the random nature of the arrival and service time of the ships. This requires a systematic approach in port planning and management. Queuing model was applied to the arrival and services pattern which causes the problems of congestion and proffer solutions to the problem areas. It is also used to predict the average arrival rate of ships to Tin can Island Port and the average service rate per ship in a month. The study to found out the number of berth in Nigeria port is adequate for the traffic intensity of vessels but other factors leading to port congestion were identified through the content analysis of the interview conducted with stakeholders at port. While policy recommendation were made for making the Nigerian Ports cost effective, more attractive and enhance quick turnaround of vessels at the Ports.

Keyword: Queue theory, port congestion, berth, arrival time, service time

Introduction
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was established in 1955 and was

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