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Simulation · Minimal Factory · Ports and coast

Hamburg-Altenwerder · container terminal

An automated container terminal as a model: container gantry cranes above the ship, driverless transport vehicles in the yard, freight trains and trucks at the container rail terminal.

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Trailer

Real are location, terrain and surroundings (official Hamburg elevation data, OpenStreetMap). The container cranes are models of our own, berths are interpreted; quantities, processes and times are model values. With your data, the model shows your site and your processes.

At the Altenwerder container terminal in the port of Hamburg, container gantry cranes lift the boxes out of the ships on the Köhlbrand. Driverless transport vehicles take them to the container yard, freight trains at the container rail terminal and trucks collect them and bring export containers. Three container cranes stand at one berth, and the vehicles run entirely without drivers.

Five controls steer the terminal: investment (one to four berths), workforce, supply, quality and market. More berths bring more throughput if ships, trains and people keep up. The container yard fills up when less is collected than arrives.

Real are location, terrain and surroundings from official Hamburg elevation data and OpenStreetMap. The cranes are models of our own, their booms are missing in the elevation model; berths, quantities, processes and times are an interpretation of our own and model values, and one working day lasts ten seconds. The page is for exhibitions, schools and universities, logistics training and local history.

From raw material to product

  1. 01

    supply – freight trains at the container station and trucks bring export boxes

  2. 02

    berths – container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below

  3. 03

    container yard – takes in what is not sold

  4. 04

    dispatch – container ships on the Köhlbrand take them

A site at work

01

A site at work

Hamburg-Altenwerder: Container handling on the Köhlbrand: cranes lift the boxes out of the ships, driverless vehicles take them to the yard, trains and trucks collect them.

Berth 1

02

Berth 1

Berth 1 – A berth: three container cranes lift the boxes between ship and quay, driverless transport vehicles take them to the yard – no drivers at all.

What is shown – why – for whom

What is shown Why For whom
Berth with three container cranes WhyShows how boxes are lifted between ship and quay. For whomexhibition, teaching
Driverless transport vehicles WhyShows how the containers reach the yard without drivers. For whomteaching, history of technology
Container yard WhyShows what happens to containers that are not collected at once. For whomeconomics teaching, exhibition
Container rail terminal with freight trains WhyShows how export containers arrive and imports are collected. For whomteaching, logistics training
Trucks at the terminal WhyShows how containers also go to the hinterland by road. For whomteaching, exhibition
Container ships on the Köhlbrand WhyShows where the ships lie and where the export containers go. For whomport history, exhibition
Five controls with output, container yard and daily result WhyShows connections in operations, not operating figures. For whomeconomics teaching
Berth 4

03

Berth 4

Berth 4 – the expansion runs along as long as people, materials and market suffice.

Five levers, one works

04

Five levers, one works

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

Films from the model

  • Above Hamburg-Altenwerder

    A flight across the whole site: low approach, Berth 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 (freight trains at the container station and trucks bring export boxes), berths, container 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 (container yard) changing along.

  • A works grows

    Investment step by step: new berths 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

  • Berths

    A berth: three container cranes lift the boxes between ship and quay, driverless transport vehicles take them to the yard – no drivers at all. In the game: all 4 as expansion (interpreted).

  • Container 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

    Freight trains at the container station and trucks bring export boxes. A bigger contract costs more, the store buffers short gaps.

  • Dispatch

    Container ships on the Köhlbrand take them. The market only takes what it needs.

  • Container rail station

    Freight trains bring export boxes and collect imports.

When things get tight

05

When things get tight

Container 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 – Berth 1: container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below.

Processes in the model

From raw material to product

  1. 01supply – freight trains at the container station and trucks bring export boxes
  2. 02berths – container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below
  3. 03container yard – takes in what is not sold
  4. 04dispatch – container ships on the Köhlbrand take them

Expansion

  1. 01raise investment by one step
  2. 02another berth 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

  • Exhibition and visitor centre

    The terminal explains itself at one berth: three container cranes lift the boxes between ship and quay, driverless vehicles take them to the yard, entirely without drivers.

    For whomexhibitions, visitor centres, port museums

  • School and university

    How do containers get from ship to rail and truck? Terms like container crane, berth, TEU, container rail terminal and hinterland traffic sit where they belong.

    For whomschools, universities, vocational training

  • Understanding logistics

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

    For whomlogistics training, economics teaching, further training

  • Port and city

    The terminal lies in the port of Hamburg on the Köhlbrand. You see how ships, freight trains and trucks come together in one place.

    For whomcity marketing, local history societies, port history

Berth 1 at work

07

Berth 1 at work

Berth 1 at work – container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below; 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 berths (1 to 4): more money builds more, less shuts them down; without more people they only run in part.
  • Workforce: Enough people for all berths – 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

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

  • 02

    A terminal without drivers

    Container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below: you understand the process before you steer the terminal yourself.

  • 03

    Bottlenecks without damage

    Ships, trains or people are missing, the container yard fills up. 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.

  • Hamburg-Altenwerder: Container handling on the Köhlbrand: cranes lift the boxes out of the ships, driverless vehicles take them to the yard, trains and trucks collect them.
    Hamburg-Altenwerder: Container handling on the Köhlbrand: cranes lift the boxes out of the ships, driverless vehicles take them to the yard, trains and trucks collect them.
  • Hamburg-Altenwerder from the other side – the same site in the afternoon sun from the south-west, with long shadows of halls and structures.
    Hamburg-Altenwerder 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 – Berth 1: container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below.
    Medium long shot – Berth 1: container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below.
  • Far out near Hamburg – terrain, houses and trees come from official elevation data; at the edge the world fades softly into the dark.
    Far out near Hamburg – terrain, houses and trees come from official elevation data; at the edge the world fades softly into the dark.
  • From above – Hamburg-Altenwerder as a model of blocks: every cell a block, buildings and terrain from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
    From above – Hamburg-Altenwerder as a model of blocks: every cell a block, buildings and terrain from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
  • Hamburg-Altenwerder from above at an angle – supply, berths, container yard and dispatch at a glance.
    Hamburg-Altenwerder from above at an angle – supply, berths, container yard and dispatch at a glance.
  • All around Hamburg: streets, tracks and water from OpenStreetMap, houses and trees from the elevation data – only the plant in the middle is built specially.
    All around Hamburg: 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 – Berth 1, as close as from the fence.
    At eye level – Berth 1, as close as from the fence.
  • Berth 1 – A berth: three container cranes lift the boxes between ship and quay, driverless transport vehicles take them to the yard – no drivers at all.
    Berth 1 – A berth: three container cranes lift the boxes between ship and quay, driverless transport vehicles take them to the yard – no drivers at all.
  • Berth 2 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
    Berth 2 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
  • Berth 3 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
    Berth 3 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
  • Berth 4 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
    Berth 4 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
  • Container yard – whatever is made but not sold ends up here; when there is no room left, the surplus goes at a discount.
    Container yard – whatever is made but not sold ends up here; when there is no room left, the surplus goes at a discount.
  • Supply – freight trains at the container station and trucks bring export boxes: a bigger contract costs more, the store buffers short gaps.
    Supply – freight trains at the container station and trucks bring export boxes: a bigger contract costs more, the store buffers short gaps.
  • Dispatch – container ships on the Köhlbrand take them: the market only takes what it needs.
    Dispatch – container ships on the Köhlbrand take them: the market only takes what it needs.
  • Container rail station – freight trains bring export boxes and collect imports.
    Container rail station – freight trains bring export boxes and collect imports.
  • Berth 1 close up – container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below.
    Berth 1 close up – container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below.
  • Container yard close up – the boxes stand in rows until ship, train or truck collects them.
    Container yard close up – the boxes stand in rows until ship, train or truck collects them.
  • Supply in full swing – freight trains at the container station and trucks bring export boxes; the bigger the contract, the more is on the move.
    Supply in full swing – freight trains at the container station and trucks bring export boxes; the bigger the contract, the more is on the move.
  • Berth 1 at work – container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below; the machines run with the works’ utilisation.
    Berth 1 at work – container cranes above the ship, driverless vehicles below; the machines run with the works’ utilisation.
  • Berth 4 – the expansion runs along as long as people, materials and market suffice.
    Berth 4 – the expansion runs along as long as people, materials and market suffice.
  • Container yard in day-to-day operation – the boxes stand in rows until ship, train or truck collects them.
    Container yard in day-to-day operation – the boxes stand in rows until ship, train or truck collects them.
  • Full steam – all four berths running, the market booming: supply and dispatch routes are at their busiest.
    Full steam – all four berths running, the market booming: supply and dispatch routes are at their busiest.
  • Small investment – only Berth 1 runs, the other plots lie ready as marked foundations.
    Small investment – only Berth 1 runs, the other plots lie ready as marked foundations.
  • Full investment – four berths: capacity for the boom, but only with enough people and materials.
    Full investment – four berths: capacity for the boom, but only with enough people and materials.
  • Every facility labelled – berth 1 to 4, container yard, supplier and market; at the top the working day with the daily output, on the right success in one number.
    Every facility labelled – berth 1 to 4, container yard, supplier and market; at the top the working day with the daily output, on the right success in one number.
  • Berth 1 labelled – name and number right in the picture.
    Berth 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: container yard.
    Where a lever acts, a ring lights up – here after a change in the market: container yard.
  • Materials missing – supply is short, the store is empty: the berths only run in part, the supply route is quiet.
    Materials missing – supply is short, the store is empty: the berths only run in part, the supply route is quiet.
  • Container yard filling up – more is made than sold; when there is no room left the surplus goes at a 40 % discount.
    Container 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 – berth: in operation, workforce and utilisation, plus one sentence on what happens there.
    Facility card – berth: in operation, workforce and utilisation, plus one sentence on what happens there.
  • Stockpile card – container yard: stock, space used and growth per day.
    Stockpile card – container 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: Hamburg-Altenwerder · Containerterminal

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 Hamburg (official Hamburg 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: Containerterminal Altenwerder
  • Trade press, report on the site
  • Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, LGV: DGM1 and bDOM 2022 (dl-de/by-2.0)
  • OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): streets, tracks, water, land use

More places in the model

← Minimal Factory

Real are location, terrain and surroundings (official Hamburg elevation data, OpenStreetMap). The container cranes are models of our own, berths are interpreted; quantities, processes and times are model values. With your data, the model shows your site and your processes.