Analyzing different designs of liner shipping feeder networks: A case study
Mohamed Kais Msakni, Kjetil Fagerholt, Frank Meisel, Elizabeth Lindstad
2020Transportation Research Part E Logistics and Transportation Review24 citationsDOIOpen Access PDF
Abstract
This paper proposes different network structures for a real liner shipping company to serve demands between Norwegian and European continental ports. The current practice of the shipping company deploys a feeder network where all routes depart from the European port. We study the impact of using a hub-and-spoke network that is composed of mother and daughter routes with the possibility of splitting pickups and deliveries. Computational studies carried out on problem instances based on realistic data show that significant cost reductions can in several cases be obtained by including the proposed network structure.
Topics & Concepts
NorwegianPort (circuit theory)Operations researchTransport engineeringNetwork planning and designComputer scienceNetwork structureEngineeringTelecommunicationsDistributed computingPhilosophyLinguisticsElectrical engineeringMaritime Ports and LogisticsMaritime Transport Emissions and EfficiencyVehicle Routing Optimization Methods