Institute of Transportation, MOTC

       This study focuses on the background of Kaohsiung Port's 7th Container Center, which increased the number of container terminals from 26 to 31 upon its completion and official opening. Evergreen Marine Corporation consolidated its terminal operations from the 4th and 5th Container Centers and fully moved into the 7th Container Center. Wan Hai Lines adjusted its existing terminal locations to the 5th Container Center after Evergreen Marine's relocation. Consequently, Kaohsiung Port has five vacant container terminal positions available for lease. This research explores how, under the current operational model of the dedicated container terminal leasing system, an optimization approach can be used. It considers the perspectives of shipping companies and port authorities, as well as the relationships between shipping alliances, to establish three distinct objectives. A multi-objective assignment model between shipping companies and terminals is developed, analyzing the optimal solutions for each objective under six different scenarios. Finally, the results of the six scenarios are compared with the post-opening allocation of the 7th Container Center, and the trends in maximum carbon emissions from transshipment under these six scenarios are observed. This aims to develop an effective decision support tool for port authorities and shipping companies.