Simulation of regional logistics systems with agent-based modelling: a Dubai case study

The thesis illustrates a framework for the simulation of regional logistic systems by analyzing economic value and strategic decision-making in agents involved in the supply chain. The model is developed using Anylogic, thus creating a fully scalable platform and observing the supply chain development through Agent-based modelling. In this way, two main output results are expected: on one hand support strategic level decisions driven by exogenous factors; on the other hand, highlight actors in the logistic process and how their interaction drives the overall development. The efficient management of a logistics corridor requires proper infrastructure and organized autonomous actors, which are subject to different constraints and optimization problems, therefore having unalike needs for investments required for growth. Starting from the preliminary study M.Postorino - System Dynamics approach to assess the investments impact of the Dubai Logistics Corridor, the identified model aims to be tested and validated on the real-world case of Dubai, which includes the Al Maktoum Airport, the Jabel Ali port and the JAFZA Free Zone. To this extent, depending on the level of detail, additional variables may be added to the model in order to find economics and financials involved, investments required in capital and FTEs, hub transit times and bottlenecks, overall efficiency and utilization rates, real demand growth in comparison with System Dynamics forecast.