Computational simulation for analysis of the freight in the sugar cane transportation - a case study in the Rio de Janeiro state

Resumen

This work presents an analysis of the freight distribution in the sugar cane supply system in a mill made by computational simulation. The mill supply system is compound basically by the cut, loading and transportation operations (known as CLT). The costs of these operations represent 27% on an average of the direct costs of the production per hectare. Only transportation represents, approximately 55% of the CLT total costs per hectare. In Campos dos Goytacazes, north of Rio de Janeiro state, the sugar cane activity is traditional and of great value, demanding continuous improvement of these operations. The aim of this work was to develop a simulation model to evaluate the relation of the CLT freight cost with the distance of the sugar cane supplier to the mill. Simulations of various hypothetical sceneries built to allow connecting the various suppliers concerning the paid freight were done. Results were validated with data from literature and with information furnish by local mills, allowing, and this way, to determine the impact of the freight over the direct operations costs of the CLT.