Application of Operations Research Methods in Port Logistics Management at Tin Can Island Port, Lagos

Port logistics management at Nigerian seaports has attracted increasing professional attention as stakeholders seek to reduce cargo dwell times, lower import costs, and improve Nigeria's global trade facilitation rankings. This study examines the application of operations research methods, specifically queuing analysis, simulation, and linear programming, to address operational challenges at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, South West Nigeria. Using secondary operational data from the Nigerian Ports Authority and primary surveys of terminal operators, freight forwarders, and customs clearing agents (n=95), the study maps the cargo clearance process from vessel berthing through gate exit. Queuing models are applied to the container inspection and customs examination stages, which data identify as the primary bottlenecks contributing to an average import dwell time of 14.2 days. Simulation experiments evaluate the impact of deploying additional scanners and inspectors at these stages. A linear programming model optimizes the daily allocation of berths, quay cranes, and yard tractors across vessel classes. Combined results suggest that targeted interventions at the customs examination and quay crane allocation stages could reduce average dwell time by 38 percent within existing infrastructure constraints. Recommendations are framed as an operational improvement programme for consideration by the Nigerian Ports Authority and terminal concessionaires. This research bridges academic operations research methods with practical port management challenges in Nigeria's principal commercial gateway. Keywords: port logistics, queuing analysis, Tin Can Island Port, dwell time, operations research