Intermodal transportation network design under uncertainty: case of the hinterland of the Port of Cotonou

Since 2006, the Millennium Challenge Account program subsidizes a project to improve the performance of the Port of Cotonou, through modernization of infrastructure and management systems, and strengthening institutional reforms. But the project mainly concerns the port, not the development of its hinterland. However, no port can develop without its links with its hinterland. That’s why we analyse the issues relating to the hinterland transport network. Thus, rail and road transportation networks will be examined. Also, we will investigate inland terminals in order to build up intermodal transportation which is almost non-operational. But in the case of freight transportation from and to the hinterland of the port of Cotonou, two uncertainties occurred. So, we have to deal with the variability of the traffic and the road capacity. Indeed, the road capacity is restricted by the level of the torrential rains in worst period, as some arcs of the road are damaged. As a first step, the objective of this paper is to determine the optimal number and locations of the terminals so that the total costs of the distribution network are minimized.