Frequency-based maritime container assignment model for global liner services.

Bell, Michael G H; Angeloudis, Panagiotis; Liu, Xin; Fonzone, Achille; Hosseinloo, Solmaz Haji

Abstract

This paper transposes the classic frequency-based transit assignment method of Spiess and Florian to containers demonstrating its promise as the basis for a global maritime container assignment model. In this model, containers are carried by shipping lines operating strings (or port rotations) with given service frequencies. An origin-destination matrix of full containers is assigned to these strings to minimize sailing time plus container dwell time at the origin port and any intermediate transhipment ports. This necessitated two significant model extensions. The first involves the repositioning of empty containers so that a net outflow of full containers from any port is balanced by a net inflow of empty containers, and vice versa. As with full containers, empty containers are repositioned to minimize the sum of sailing and dwell time, with a facility to discount the dwell time of empty containers in recognition of the absence of inventory. The second involves the inclusion of an upper limit to the maximum number of container moves per unit time at any port. The dual variable for this constraint provides a shadow price, or surcharge, for loading or unloading a container at a congested port. Insight into the interpretation of the dual variables is given by proposition and proof. Model behavior is illustrated by a numerical example applied to the Asia-Europe schedules of a major liner company. The paper concludes by considering the next steps toward realizing a container assignment model that can, amongst other things, support the assessment of supply chain vulnerability to maritime disruptions.

Citation

Bell, M. G. H., Angeloudis, P., Liu, X., Fonzone, A., & Hosseinloo, S. H. (2011). Frequency-based maritime container assignment model for global liner services. In TRB 90th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

• Conference Name: 90th Annual TRB Meeting
• Start Date: Jan 23, 2011
• End Date: Jan 27, 2011
• Publication Date: 2011
• Deposit Date: Apr 10, 2012
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Book Title: TRB 90th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD
• Keywords: Global liner services; maritime container assessment model; transshipment; port rotations
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/5150