Title: Optimising Port-Hinterland Container Transportation for Resilience and Sustainability

Speaker:  Dr Marcella Papini
University of Newcastle

Summary:
This study introduces a novel optimisation framework, the Resilient and Green Port–Hinterland Container Transportation Network (RG-PHCTN), which addresses the dual challenge of ensuring logistics continuity during climate change-related disruptions and minimising environmental impact. By combining disruption modelling, Monte Carlo simulation, and a sequential optimisation model, the framework evaluates recovery actions at both seaport and hinterland levels across dimensions of time, cost, and CO₂ emissions. Computational experiments on a network inspired by the Port of Newcastle demonstrate how different disruption scenarios—such as floods, bushfires, and cyclones—affect resilience and sustainability outcomes, and how context-specific recovery strategies can be identified. The approach provides a flexible decision-support tool for planners seeking to design climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable port-hinterland systems.

Bio:
Dr Marcella Papini is an expert in mathematical optimisation with a strong commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She actively aligns her research, teaching, and engagement efforts with the SDGs, using mathematics as a tool to support evidence-based decision-making for a more sustainable and equitable world.

Marcella has led several publicly and privately funded research projects focused on improving the management of operations across diverse domains—optimising performance not only in terms of economic costs but also environmental and social impacts. Her work has been supported by prestigious institutions such as Australian universities, Transport for NSW, and the Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq).

Her research has resulted in high-quality publications in leading international journals, and she regularly collaborates with academic partners around the globe. She brings a truly international perspective to her work, having studied, taught, and conducted research in Brazil, Australia, and Germany.

Marcella is also a co-founder of the Women’s Research Engineers Network (WREN), which has secured over AUD1 million in government funding. The Network promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and inclusive innovation aligned with the SDGs. She is passionate about empowering the next generation of woman researchers and practitioners to collaborate for real-world impact.

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WED 22 OCTOBER 2025 16:00 -17:00 (AEDT, Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time)