Abstract
This paper addresses the problem of boat–barge convoy dispatch that arises in the simultaneous assignment of freight to and the formation of boat–barge convoys in inland waterways transportation. Normally, the dispatch type of problem under consideration in this paper is faced daily in inland waterways transportation networks, for which there does not exist as yet a general mathematical programming model. In this paper, the problem is formulated within a binary linear programming modelling framework, which is applicable to inland waterways networks of any configuration. The mathematical model is applied to a real-world case, which is encountered in inland waterways transportation in the Amazon region in Brazil, so as to illustrate the use of the model in practice. The global optimal solution that is obtained results in substantial cost reduction, in comparison with the present dispatch policy, which is based on past experience. Consequently, the mathematical model has been adopted by the company as a basis for decision support in boat–barge convoy formation and dispatch within its enterprise planning system.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
F. An, H. Hu, C. Xie, Service network design in inland waterway liner transportation with empty container repositioning. Eur. Transp. Res. Rev. (2015). doi:10.1007/s12544-015-0157-5
ANTAQ, http://www.antaq.gov.br. Accessed 11 Feb 2016
K. Braeckers, A. Caris, G.K. Janssens, Optimal shipping routes and vessel size for intermodal barge transport with empty container repositioning. Comput. Ind. 64, 155–164 (2013)
R. Burkard, M. DellÁmico, S. Martello, Assignment problems. Soc. Ind. Appl. Math. (2009). doi:10.1137/1.9781611972238
A. Caris, S. Limbourg, C. Macharis, T. Van Lier, M. Cools, Integration of inland waterway transport in the intermodal supply chain: a taxonomy of research challenges. J. Transp. Geogr. 41, 126–136 (2014)
A. Caris, C. Macharis, G.K. Janssens, Corridor network design in hinterland transportation systems. Flex. Serv. Manuf. J. 24, 294–319 (2012)
M. Chrisiansen, K. Fagerholt, B. Nygreen, D. Ronen, Ship routing and scheduling in the new millennium. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 228, 467–483 (2013)
G.W. DePuy, G.D. Taylor, T. Whyte, Barge fleet layout optimization. Int. J. Comput. Integr. Manuf. 17, 97–107 (2004)
K. Fagerholt, G. Laporte, I. Norstad, Reducing fuel emissions by optimizing speed on shipping routes. J. Oper. Res. Soc. 61, 523–529 (2010)
J. Friend, R. da Silva Lima, J.A.B Montevechi, Effects of soybean transportation costs in the USA and Brazil: a logistical comparison. XVI International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, October 2010, São Carlos, SP, Brazil (2010)
I. Jaržemskiene, The evolution of intermodal transport research and its development issues. Transport 22(4), 296–306 (2007)
R. Jiakumar, M.M. Soloman, The tug fleet size problem for barge line operations: a polynomial algorithm. Transp. Sci. 21(4), 264–272 (1987)
J.J. Kanet, Z. Zhou, A decision theory approach to priority dispatching for job shop scheduling. J. Prod. Oper. Manage. 2, 1–13 (1993)
B. Lambert, The economic role of inland water transport. Proc. Inst. Civil Eng. Civil Eng. 63(May), 8–14 (2010)
G. Laporte, What should you know about the vehicle routing problem. Naval Res. Logist. 54, 811–819 (2007)
Lindo Systems Inc., LINGO 11.0 User´s Guide. Chicago, IL (2010)
C. Lu, X. Yan, The break-even distance of road and inland waterway freight transportation systems. Marit. Econ. Logist. 17(2), 246–263 (2015)
V. Maraš, J. Lazić, T. Davidović, T.N. Mladenović, Routing of barge container ships by mixed—integer programming. Appl. Soft Comput. 13, 3515–3528 (2013)
B. Naderi, A. Azab, Modeling and heuristics for scheduling of distributed job scheduling. Expert Syst. Appl. 41, 7754–7763 (2014)
R.M. Nauss, Optimal sequencing in the presence of setup times for tow/barge traffic through a river lock. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 187, 1268–1281 (2008)
M. Nowak, M. Hewitt, C.C. White III, Precedence constrained pickup and delivery with split loads. Int. J. Logist. 15, 1–14 (2012)
G.G. O´Brien, R.R. Crane, The scheduling of a barge line. Oper. Res. 5, 561–570 (1959)
W. Passchyn, S. Coene, D. Briskorn, J.L. Hurink, F.C.R. Spieksma, G.V. Berghe, The lockmaster´s problem. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 251, 432–441 (2016)
D.W. Pentico, Assignment problems: a golden anniversary survey. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 176, 774–793 (2009)
H.D. Sherali, A. Ghoniem, Joint vehicle assembly-routing problems: an integrated modeling and optimization approach. Networks 53, 249–265 (2009)
D.G. Taylor, T.C. Whyte, G.W. DePuy, D.J. Drosos, A simulation-based software system for barge dispatching and boat assignment in inland waterways. Simul. Model. Pract. Theory 13, 550–565 (2005)
USDA, http://www.fas.usda.gov. Accessed 11 Feb 2016
K. Vukadinović, D. Teodorović, A fuzzy approach to the vessel dispatching problem. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 76, 155–164 (1994)
K. Vukadinović, D. Teodorović, G. Pavković, A neutral network approach to the vessel dispatching problem. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 102, 473–487 (1997)
N. Wieberneit, Service network design for freight transportation: a review. OR Spectr. 30, 77–112 (2008)
Z. Yang, H. Shi, K. Chen, H. Bao, Optimization of container liner network design on the Yangtze River. Marit. Policy Manage. 41, 79–96 (2014)
W.Y. Yun, Y.M. Lee, Y.S. Choi, Optimal inventory control of empty containers in inland transportation system. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 133, 457 (2011)
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Grupo Reicon (Rebelo Ind. Com. E Nav. Ltda.) for providing support for this work. The fourth co-author (RYQ) acknowledges the insight provided by the late Yasar Yahya Qassim. The authors wish also to thank the reviewers for their valuable recommendations and suggestions which helped improve the paper.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Qassim, R.Y., Guimarães, L.F., Moreira, D.V. et al. Optimal boat–barge convoy formation and freight assignment in inland waterways freight transportation. Mar Syst Ocean Technol 12, 262–267 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40868-017-0037-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40868-017-0037-z