Case Study Thesis:Identifying And Reducing Wastes Of A Container Transshipment Terminal By Using Value Stream Mapping Tool

Introduction:Improvement of the product flow by means of applying the lean principles,including the value stream mapping tool has become an important component in the attempt of many companies to make transition from traditional production to the lean manufacturing system.It often implies modernization of organizational structure,relationships with sub-contractors,suppliers and transportation companies.The topic of this master thesis originates from company APM TERMINALS that provides containers transshipment services.This thesis is an attempt to understand and analyze the problems in the product flow that results in many deviations and waste.Purpose:The purpose of this case study has been to identify,analyze and propose solutions for waste-related problems in Container product flow,by applying the lean thinking principles and the data collection methods.Method:The proposed case study methodology combines both theoretical and empirical approach.Data collected in interviews with operations department both planning and execution,observations at the technical workshop and data extracted from Terminal Operations System(TOS)and Business Intelligence(BI)software have constituted the input for the value stream mapping method.The value stream mapping method has been applied to constructthe current state map of value stream and identify the wastes.Furthermore,other methods including the decision point analysis.This analysis was done taking into consideration one crane in order to seize impact of this study and after seeing impact next step would be generalize on all cranes of the terminal.Conclusion:It has been concluded from the constructed current state map of value stream that the most critical wastes are waiting,transportation,unnecessary inventory,unnecessary motion and defects.Furthermore,the requirement of a perfect flow would be to deploy the right amount of equipment and resources and make them available in the right time on the right place.The measures to reduce the identified wastes have been pointed out.It has been proposed to better integrate Kaizens,Kaizen is a concept referring to business activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees and work on improvements.Adopting this concept will reduce wastes by implementing solutions based on a study done by teams.found beneficial as well as orientation on customer satisfaction.The main advantages of this concepts are to reduce waste,finding solutions and sustaining impact of this solutions on the Value Stream Map,Improvement of processes and standards,having a strong base of the business,increasing engagement of stakeholders and raising productivity KPIs.