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Simulation · Minimal Factory · Ports and waterways

Ruhrort harbour · ship and rail transfer

An inland harbour as a model: quays with gantry cranes, grabs above the ships, storage yard and coal trains, at the mouth of the Ruhr into the Rhine.

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Trailer

Real are location, terrain and structures (official NRW elevation data, OpenStreetMap). Quays and cranes are interpreted; quantities, processes and times are model values. With your data, the model shows your site and your processes.

The harbour at the mouth of the Ruhr into the Rhine stands as a block model on its real terrain: harbour basin, quays with gantry cranes, storage yard and tracks. Ships bring coal, the cranes' grabs lift it out of the holds and drop it on the storage yard, and from there the trains leave for the hinterland.

Five controls steer the harbour: investment (one to three quays), workforce, supply, quality and market. More quays mean more transfer if enough ships arrive and enough people are there. The storage yard fills up when the trains do not collect everything.

Real are location, terrain and structures from official NRW elevation data and OpenStreetMap. Quays, cranes, quantities, processes and times are an interpretation of our own and model values; one working day lasts ten seconds. The page is for museums and exhibitions, schools and universities, industrial heritage and local history.

From raw material to product

  1. 01

    supply – ships with coal

  2. 02

    quays – portal crane grabs above the ships

  3. 03

    storage yard – takes in what is not sold

  4. 04

    dispatch – coal trains inland

A site at work

01

A site at work

Ruhrort harbour: The harbour where the Ruhr meets the Rhine: ships bring coal, portal cranes put it on the storage yard, trains run inland.

Quay 1

02

Quay 1

Quay 1 – A quay with two portal cranes: the grabs take the coal out of the ships and drop it on the storage yard; trains leave from there.

What is shown – why – for whom

What is shown Why For whom
Harbour basin with ships bringing coal WhyShows how the goods arrive in an inland harbour. For whommuseum, teaching
Quays with two gantry cranes and grabs each WhyShows how the coal is lifted out of the holds. For whommuseum, teaching
Storage yard WhyShows what happens to coal that does not travel on at once. For whomeconomics teaching, exhibition
Tracks and coal trains to the hinterland WhyShows how the coal gets from ship to rail. For whomteaching, industrial heritage
Old warehouse WhyShows an old storage building at the harbour. For whomlocal history, exhibition
Terrain at the mouth of the Ruhr into the Rhine WhyShows why the harbour lies at this spot. For whomlocal history, teaching
Five controls with output, storage yard and daily result WhyShows connections in operations, not operating figures. For whomeconomics teaching
Quay 3

03

Quay 3

Quay 3 – the expansion runs along as long as people, materials and market suffice.

Five levers, one works

04

Five levers, one works

Full investment – three quays: capacity for the boom, but only with enough people and materials.

Films from the model

  • Above Ruhrort harbour

    A flight across the whole site: low approach, Quay 1, then across the works to the long shot – everything moving, with the sound of the works.

  • From raw material to product

    The works’ chain in one flight – supply (ships with coal), quays, storage yard, dispatch: station by station.

  • A working day in time-lapse

    In time-lapse working days pass in seconds: shifts at the gate, traffic on the supply and dispatch routes, the stockpile (storage yard) changing along.

  • A works grows

    Investment step by step: new quays appear, the workforce grows with them, then more supply and a boom in the market.

  • Bottleneck – the works respond

    First materials run short and the plant only runs in part, then the market takes too little and the stockpile fills up – in the boom the works recover.

  • Using the software

    With the full interface: open the works, set investment and market, look at stockpile and plant – every lever acts at once.

Facilities and areas in the model

  • Quays

    A quay with two portal cranes: the grabs take the coal out of the ships and drop it on the storage yard; trains leave from there. In the game: all 3 as expansion (interpreted).

  • Storage yard

    Whatever is made but not sold ends up here; when it is full the surplus goes at a discount, when the market wants more it is drawn down.

  • Supply

    Ships with coal. A bigger contract costs more, the store buffers short gaps.

  • Dispatch

    Coal trains inland. The market only takes what it needs.

  • Old warehouse

    An old storehouse at the harbour, in the model from the elevation data.

When things get tight

05

When things get tight

Storage yard filling up – more is made than sold; when there is no room left the surplus goes at a 40 % discount.

Medium long shot

06

Medium long shot

Medium long shot – Quay 1: portal crane grabs above the ships.

Processes in the model

From raw material to product

  1. 01supply – ships with coal
  2. 02quays – portal crane grabs above the ships
  3. 03storage yard – takes in what is not sold
  4. 04dispatch – coal trains inland

Expansion

  1. 01raise investment by one step
  2. 02another quay is built on its plot
  3. 03set the workforce to match, otherwise it only runs in part
  4. 04the market decides whether it pays – success in one number at the top

Bottleneck and recovery

  1. 01supply short – the store empties
  2. 02materials missing – the plants only run in part
  3. 03market in a slump – the stockpile grows until the fire sale
  4. 04boom – the stockpile empties, the result rises

What the model can be used for

  • Museum and exhibition

    A quay explains itself on the plant: two gantry cranes lift the coal out of the ship with a grab and drop it on the storage yard, from where the trains leave.

    For whommuseums, visitor centres, exhibitions

  • School and university

    How does a gantry crane with a grab work, and how was coal transferred from ship to rail in an inland harbour? Terms like quay, transfer and inland vessel sit where they belong.

    For whomschools, universities, vocational training

  • Industrial heritage and local history

    Why did the harbour arise at the mouth of the Ruhr? Harbour basin, quays and the old warehouse lie on the real terrain, ship and rail meet where Ruhr and Rhine join.

    For whomindustrial heritage, city marketing, local history societies

  • Understanding operations

    Investment, workforce, supply, quality and market act at once on output, storage yard and result. It becomes visible why a further quay without ships and people costs money.

    For whomeconomics teaching, further training

Quay 1 at work

07

Quay 1 at work

Quay 1 at work – portal crane grabs above the ships; the machines run with the works’ utilisation.

The whole software

08

The whole software

Running the works – five levers: investment, workforce, supply, quality and market; the chain shows at once what follows.

What you can change

Controls

  • Investment: Number of quays (1 to 3): more money builds more, less shuts them down; without more people they only run in part.
  • Workforce: Enough people for all quays – output rises, and so does success. Too many people cost wages without more output.
  • Supply: More material arrives – the plant no longer has to wait. Levels short, normal and double; supply security costs money.
  • Quality: More quality means less scrap and fewer breakdowns but costs testing and maintenance (levels low, normal, high).
  • Market: Slump, normal or boom. In a slump more is made than sold: the stockpile grows and success drops. In a boom the market takes more: the stockpile empties and success rises.

Disruptions

  • Too few people: Workers are missing, part of the plant stands still.
  • Material missing: Supply is not enough; once the store is empty the plants only run in part (message: “Parts store empty – supply is short”).
  • Too much built: More is made than the market takes: the stockpile grows; when it is full the surplus goes at a 40 % discount (message: “Stockpile full – fire sale at a discount”).
  • Market wants more: Demand is greater than the works can make; once the stockpile is empty orders are lost (message: “Stockpile empty – orders are lost”).

What the model brings

  • 01

    The real terrain as a stage

    Harbour, tracks and surroundings stand on terrain from official elevation data. You show the site as it lies, not as a diagram.

  • 02

    From ship to rail

    The grab above the hold, the storage yard, the train: you understand the transfer before you steer the harbour yourself.

  • 03

    Bottlenecks without damage

    Too few ships arrive, the storage yard fills up because the trains do not collect everything. You see where it gets tight first, and set it back.

  • 04

    For big screens and the browser

    Runs in the browser and on large projections. A working day in fast motion lasts ten seconds.

  • Ruhrort harbour: The harbour where the Ruhr meets the Rhine: ships bring coal, portal cranes put it on the storage yard, trains run inland.
    Ruhrort harbour: The harbour where the Ruhr meets the Rhine: ships bring coal, portal cranes put it on the storage yard, trains run inland.
  • Ruhrort harbour from the other side – the same site in the afternoon sun from the south-west, with long shadows of halls and structures.
    Ruhrort harbour from the other side – the same site in the afternoon sun from the south-west, with long shadows of halls and structures.
  • Medium long shot – Quay 1: portal crane grabs above the ships.
    Medium long shot – Quay 1: portal crane grabs above the ships.
  • Far out near Duisburg – terrain, houses and trees come from official elevation data; at the edge the world fades softly into the dark.
    Far out near Duisburg – terrain, houses and trees come from official elevation data; at the edge the world fades softly into the dark.
  • From above – Ruhrort harbour as a model of blocks: every cell a block, buildings and terrain from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
    From above – Ruhrort harbour as a model of blocks: every cell a block, buildings and terrain from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
  • Ruhrort harbour from above at an angle – supply, quays, storage yard and dispatch at a glance.
    Ruhrort harbour from above at an angle – supply, quays, storage yard and dispatch at a glance.
  • All around Duisburg: streets, tracks and water from OpenStreetMap, houses and trees from the elevation data – only the plant in the middle is built specially.
    All around Duisburg: streets, tracks and water from OpenStreetMap, houses and trees from the elevation data – only the plant in the middle is built specially.
  • At eye level – Quay 1, as close as from the fence.
    At eye level – Quay 1, as close as from the fence.
  • Quay 1 – A quay with two portal cranes: the grabs take the coal out of the ships and drop it on the storage yard; trains leave from there.
    Quay 1 – A quay with two portal cranes: the grabs take the coal out of the ships and drop it on the storage yard; trains leave from there.
  • Quay 2 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
    Quay 2 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
  • Quay 3 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
    Quay 3 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
  • Storage yard – whatever is made but not sold ends up here; when there is no room left, the surplus goes at a discount.
    Storage yard – whatever is made but not sold ends up here; when there is no room left, the surplus goes at a discount.
  • Supply – ships with coal: a bigger contract costs more, the store buffers short gaps.
    Supply – ships with coal: a bigger contract costs more, the store buffers short gaps.
  • Old warehouse – an old storehouse at the harbour, in the model from the elevation data.
    Old warehouse – an old storehouse at the harbour, in the model from the elevation data.
  • Quay 1 close up – portal crane grabs above the ships.
    Quay 1 close up – portal crane grabs above the ships.
  • Storage yard close up – the material grows into a heap when more is made than collected.
    Storage yard close up – the material grows into a heap when more is made than collected.
  • Supply in full swing – ships with coal; the bigger the contract, the more is on the move.
    Supply in full swing – ships with coal; the bigger the contract, the more is on the move.
  • Quay 1 at work – portal crane grabs above the ships; the machines run with the works’ utilisation.
    Quay 1 at work – portal crane grabs above the ships; the machines run with the works’ utilisation.
  • Quay 3 – the expansion runs along as long as people, materials and market suffice.
    Quay 3 – the expansion runs along as long as people, materials and market suffice.
  • Storage yard in day-to-day operation – the material grows into a heap when more is made than collected.
    Storage yard in day-to-day operation – the material grows into a heap when more is made than collected.
  • Dispatch – coal trains inland; in a boom more is on the move, in a slump less.
    Dispatch – coal trains inland; in a boom more is on the move, in a slump less.
  • At the gate – the shifts arrive here, paths lead to the plants, the workshop and the break area.
    At the gate – the shifts arrive here, paths lead to the plants, the workshop and the break area.
  • Full steam – all three quays running, the market booming: supply and dispatch routes are at their busiest.
    Full steam – all three quays running, the market booming: supply and dispatch routes are at their busiest.
  • Small investment – only Quay 1 runs, the other plots lie ready as marked foundations.
    Small investment – only Quay 1 runs, the other plots lie ready as marked foundations.
  • Full investment – three quays: capacity for the boom, but only with enough people and materials.
    Full investment – three quays: capacity for the boom, but only with enough people and materials.
  • Every facility labelled – quay 1 to 3, storage yard, supplier and market; at the top the working day with the daily output, on the right success in one number.
    Every facility labelled – quay 1 to 3, storage yard, supplier and market; at the top the working day with the daily output, on the right success in one number.
  • Quay 1 labelled – name and number right in the picture.
    Quay 1 labelled – name and number right in the picture.
  • Success in one number – 100 means it cannot get better in this market; below it the result per day, at the top the output per working day.
    Success in one number – 100 means it cannot get better in this market; below it the result per day, at the top the output per working day.
  • Where a lever acts, a ring lights up – here after a change in the market: storage yard.
    Where a lever acts, a ring lights up – here after a change in the market: storage yard.
  • Materials missing – supply is short, the store is empty: the quays only run in part, the supply route is quiet.
    Materials missing – supply is short, the store is empty: the quays only run in part, the supply route is quiet.
  • Storage yard filling up – more is made than sold; when there is no room left the surplus goes at a 40 % discount.
    Storage yard filling up – more is made than sold; when there is no room left the surplus goes at a 40 % discount.
  • Boom – the market takes more than is being made: the stockpile empties, the dispatch route is busy.
    Boom – the market takes more than is being made: the stockpile empties, the dispatch route is busy.
  • The whole software – at the top the working day with clock and output, on the right success in one number, below the tiles for works and facilities.
    The whole software – at the top the working day with clock and output, on the right success in one number, below the tiles for works and facilities.
  • Running the works – five levers: investment, workforce, supply, quality and market; the chain shows at once what follows.
    Running the works – five levers: investment, workforce, supply, quality and market; the chain shows at once what follows.
  • One lever, visible at once – market set to slump: the status line explains the bottleneck, the stockpile grows, the daily result drops.
    One lever, visible at once – market set to slump: the status line explains the bottleneck, the stockpile grows, the daily result drops.
  • Facility card – quay: in operation, workforce and utilisation, plus one sentence on what happens there.
    Facility card – quay: in operation, workforce and utilisation, plus one sentence on what happens there.
  • Stockpile card – storage yard: stock, space used and growth per day.
    Stockpile card – storage yard: stock, space used and growth per day.
  • Supplier card – delivery per day, store and material costs per day.
    Supplier card – delivery per day, store and material costs per day.
  • Market card – demand, sold and turnover per day.
    Market card – demand, sold and turnover per day.
  • Bottleneck in orange – supply is not enough: the line at the top and the works status say in one sentence what is missing.
    Bottleneck in orange – supply is not enough: the line at the top and the works status say in one sentence what is missing.
  • The menu – overview and plant, cutaway, restart, demo, sound and other sites, below the controls for mouse, touch and keyboard.
    The menu – overview and plant, cutaway, restart, demo, sound and other sites, below the controls for mouse, touch and keyboard.
  • Sixteen real sites – blast furnaces, collieries, car plants, harbours and a shipyard, each where it really stands.
    Sixteen real sites – blast furnaces, collieries, car plants, harbours and a shipyard, each where it really stands.

Your site as a model

Would you like to show your plant, your museum or your industrial site like this? Write to us or call. We will send you the password for starting it on request.

Start with password

Request the password if you are interested →

Ask about this

Minimal Factory: Hafen Ruhrort · Umschlag Schiff und Bahn

What you enter goes to this site alone and serves only to answer you.

Basis and limits

Real are the location, terrain and buildings in Duisburg (official NRW elevation data and OpenStreetMap). The plant in the middle is our own simplified interpretation: quantities, processes, times and prices are model assumptions; the economy runs in time-lapse (10 seconds are one working day). Not a simulation of real operations and no cooperation with the site.

Public sources the model is based on:

  • Wikipedia (German), article on the site: Duisburg-Ruhrorter Häfen, Ruhrschifffahrt
  • Website of the museum on site
  • Trade press, report on the site
  • Geobasis NRW: digital surface and terrain models DOM1/DGM1 (Data licence Germany – Zero – 2.0)
  • OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): streets, tracks, water, land use

More places in the model

← Minimal Factory

Real are location, terrain and structures (official NRW elevation data, OpenStreetMap). Quays and cranes are interpreted; quantities, processes and times are model values. With your data, the model shows your site and your processes.