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.
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.
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.
Chen, C. and Zeng, Q. (2010) Designing container shipping network under changing demand and freight rates. Transport 25 (1): 46–57.
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.
Cho, S.C. and Perakis, A.N. (1996) Optimal liner fleet routing strategies. Maritime Policy and Management 23 (3): 249–259.
Christiansen, M., Fagerholt, K. and Ronen, D. (2004) Ship routing and scheduling: Status and perspective. Transportation Science 38 (1): 1–18.
Claessens, E.M. (1987) Optimization procedure in maritime fleet management. Maritime Policy and Management 14 (1): 27–48.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hersh, M. and Ladany, S. (1989) Optimal scheduling of ocean cruises. INFOR 27 (1): 48–57.
Imai, A. and Rivera, F. (2001) Strategic fleet size planning for maritime refrigerated containers. Maritime Policy and Management 28 (4): 361–374.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Notteboom, T. (2006) The time factor in liner shipping services. Maritime Economics & Logistics 8 (1): 19–39.
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.
Notteboom, T. and Rodrigue, J.P. (2005) Port regionalization: Towards a new phase in port development. Maritime Policy and Management 32 (3): 297–313.
Notteboom, T. and Vernimmen, B. (2009) The future of containerization: perspectives from maritime and inland freight distribution. GeoJournal 74 (1): 7–22.
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.
Rana, K. and Vickson, R.G. (1991) Routing container ships using Lagrangean relaxation and decomposition. Transportation Science 25 (3): 201–214.
Rodrigue, J.-P. and Notteboom, T. (2009) The future of containerization: Perspectives from maritime and inland freight distribution. Geojournal 74: 7–22.
Ronen, D. (1983) Cargo ships routing and scheduling: Survey of models and problems. European Journal of Operations Research 12 (2): 119–126.
Ronen, D. (1993) Ship scheduling: The last decade. European Journal of Operations Research 71 (3): 325–333.
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.
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.
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.
Theofanis, S. and Boile, M. (2009) Empty marine container logistics: Facts, issues and management strategies. GeoJournal 74 (1): 51–65.
UNCTAD. (2011) Review of Maritime Transport. Geneva, Switzerland: UNCTAD.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/mel.2012.14