Skip to main content
Log in

Optimal design of container liner services: Interactions with the transport demand in ports

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Maritime Economics & Logistics Aims and scope

Abstract

This article introduces an optimization model for container liner services that simultaneously optimizes the shipping route and the container slot allocation on vessels by considering the interactions between the container shipping scheme and the transport demand in the ports. The model consists of two input factors and two processes. The input factors include the shipping scheme and the transport demand in the ports. The processes relate to the optimization of the shipping scheme for a fixed transport demand and the adjustment of the transport demand for a given shipping schedule. We demonstrate the model in an empirical case study on liner service optimization on the trade route between East Asia and West Europe.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agarwal, R. and Ergun, Ö. (2008) Ship scheduling and network design for cargo routing in liner shipping. Transportation Science 42 (2): 175–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandeira, D.L., Becker, J.L. and Borenstein, D. (2009) A DSS for integrated distribution of empty and full containers. Decision Support Systems 47 (4): 383–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. and Zeng, Q. (2010) Designing container shipping network under changing demand and freight rates. Transport 25 (1): 46–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, R.K. and Chen, C. (1998) A two-stage stochastic network model and solution methods for the dynamic empty container allocation problem. Transportation Science 32 (2): 142–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cho, S.C. and Perakis, A.N. (1996) Optimal liner fleet routing strategies. Maritime Policy and Management 23 (3): 249–259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christiansen, M., Fagerholt, K. and Ronen, D. (2004) Ship routing and scheduling: Status and perspective. Transportation Science 38 (1): 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Claessens, E.M. (1987) Optimization procedure in maritime fleet management. Maritime Policy and Management 14 (1): 27–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarkson Research Services Limited. (2011) Container Intelligence Monthly. Vol. 13, February.

  • Crainic, T.G., Gendreau, M. and Dejax, P. (1993) Dynamic and stochastic models for the allocation of empty containers. Operations Research 41 (1): 102–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong, J.X. and Song, D.P. (2009) Container fleet sizing and empty repositioning in liner shipping systems. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 45 (6): 860–877.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drewry Shipping Consultants. (2011) Container Market 2011/12: Annual Review and Forecast. London: Drewry Publishing.

  • Fagerholt, K. (1999) Optimal fleet design in a ship routing problem. International Transactions in Operational Research 6 (5): 453–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng, C.M. and Chuang, C.H. (2008) Empty container reposition planning for intra-Asia liner shipping. Maritime Policy and Management 35 (5): 469–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frémont, A. and Soppé, M. (2007) Northern European range: Shipping line concentration and port hierarchy. In: J. Wang, T. Notteboom, D. Olivier and B. Slack (eds.) Ports, Cities, and Global Supply Chains. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate, pp. 105–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gelareh, S., Nickel, S. and Pisinger, D. (2010) Liner shipping hub network design in a competitive environment. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 46 (6): 991–1004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hersh, M. and Ladany, S. (1989) Optimal scheduling of ocean cruises. INFOR 27 (1): 48–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Imai, A. and Rivera, F. (2001) Strategic fleet size planning for maritime refrigerated containers. Maritime Policy and Management 28 (4): 361–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imai, A., Shintani, K. and Papadimitriou, S. (2009) Multi-port vs. hub-and-spoke port calls by containerships. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 45 (5): 740–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaramillo, D.I. and Perakis, A.N. (1991) Fleet deployment optimization for liner shipping. Part 2: Implementation and results. Maritime Policy and Management 18 (4): 235–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lane, T., Heaver, T.D. and Uyeno, D. (1987) Planning and scheduling for efficiency in liner shipping. Maritime Policy and Management 14 (2): 109–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, J.A., Liu, K., Leung, S.C.H. and Lai, K.K. (2004) Empty container management in a port with long-run average criterion. Mathematical and Computer Modeling 40 (1–2): 85–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X., Ye, H. and Yuan, X. (2011) Tactical planning models for managing container flow and ship deployment. Maritime Policy and Management 38 (5): 487–508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, H.A., Chu, C.W. and Che, P.Y. (2010) Seasonal slot allocation planning for a container liner shipping service. Journal of Marine Science and Technology 18 (1): 85–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maersk Sealand. (2006) Container Shipping Trade Outlook. January. www.ncausa.org/files/public/container_Shipping_Trade_Outlook.pdf.

  • Meng, Q. and Wang, S. (2011) Liner shipping service network design with empty container repositioning. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 44 (5): 695–708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Notteboom, T. (2006) The time factor in liner shipping services. Maritime Economics & Logistics 8 (1): 19–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Notteboom, T. (2010) Concentration and the formation of multi-port gateway regions in the European container port system: An update. Journal of Transport Geography 18 (4): 567–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Notteboom, T. and Rodrigue, J.P. (2005) Port regionalization: Towards a new phase in port development. Maritime Policy and Management 32 (3): 297–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Notteboom, T. and Vernimmen, B. (2009) The future of containerization: perspectives from maritime and inland freight distribution. GeoJournal 74 (1): 7–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perakis, A.N. and Jaramillo, D.I. (1991) Fleet deployment optimization for liner shipping. Part 1: Background, problem formulation and solution approaches. Maritime Policy and Management 18 (3): 183–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rana, K. and Vickson, R.G. (1991) Routing container ships using Lagrangean relaxation and decomposition. Transportation Science 25 (3): 201–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigue, J.-P. and Notteboom, T. (2009) The future of containerization: Perspectives from maritime and inland freight distribution. Geojournal 74: 7–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ronen, D. (1983) Cargo ships routing and scheduling: Survey of models and problems. European Journal of Operations Research 12 (2): 119–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ronen, D. (1993) Ship scheduling: The last decade. European Journal of Operations Research 71 (3): 325–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sambracos, E., Paravantis, J.A., Tarantilis, C.D. and Kiranoudis, C.T. (2004) Dispatching of small containers via coastal freight liners: The case of the Aegean Sea. European Journal of Operational Research 152 (2): 365–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shintani, K., Imai, A., Nishimura, E. and Papadimitriou, S. (2007) The container shipping network design problem with empty container repositioning. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 43 (1): 39–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takano, K. and Arai, M. (2009) A genetic algorithm for the hub-and-spoke problem applied to containerized cargo transport. Journal of Marine Science and Technology 14 (2): 256–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theofanis, S. and Boile, M. (2009) Empty marine container logistics: Facts, issues and management strategies. GeoJournal 74 (1): 51–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNCTAD. (2011) Review of Maritime Transport. Geneva, Switzerland: UNCTAD.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yang, Z., Chen, K. & Notteboom, T. Optimal design of container liner services: Interactions with the transport demand in ports. Marit Econ Logist 14, 409–434 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1057/mel.2012.14

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/mel.2012.14

Keywords

Navigation