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Containership Routing and Scheduling in Liner Shipping: Overview and Future Research Directions

Author

Listed:
  • Qiang Meng

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Republic of Singapore)

  • Shuaian Wang

    (School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia)

  • Henrik Andersson

    (Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Kristian Thun

    (Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway)

Abstract

This paper reviews studies from the past 30 years that use operations research methods to tackle containership routing and scheduling problems at the strategic, tactical, and operational planning levels. These problems are first classified and summarized, with a focus on model formulations, assumptions, and algorithm design. The paper then gives an overview of studies on containership fleet size and mix, alliance strategy, and network design (at the strategic level); frequency determination, fleet deployment, speed optimization, and schedule design (at the tactical level); and container booking and routing and ship rescheduling (at the operational level). The paper further elaborates on the needs of the liner container shipping industry and notes the gap between existing academic studies and industrial practices. Research on containership routing and scheduling lags behind practice, especially in the face of the fast growth of the container shipping industry and the advancement of operations research and computer technology. The purpose of this paper is to stimulate more practically relevant research in this emerging area.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiang Meng & Shuaian Wang & Henrik Andersson & Kristian Thun, 2014. "Containership Routing and Scheduling in Liner Shipping: Overview and Future Research Directions," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 48(2), pages 265-280, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ortrsc:v:48:y:2014:i:2:p:265-280
    DOI: 10.1287/trsc.2013.0461
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    References listed on IDEAS

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