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A heuristic for sea-freight container selection, cargo allocation and cargo orientation

Author

Listed:
  • T N Wong

    (University of Hong Kong)

  • P S Chow

    (University of Hong Kong)

  • D Sculli

    (University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

A model is proposed to generate solutions for container selection, for the allocation of cargo to containers, and for cargo orientation within a container. The model is in the form of a mixed integer program with the objective of minimizing the total shipping cost. The practical requirements of loading priority and weight distribution along the main dimension of the container are incorporated into the model. A heuristic solution strategy is proposed and used to control the computation time by pre-setting the search increments. Three case examples are presented. The first and third examples show that the proposed model can produce a better solution than the manual schedulers. The second example is taken from the literature and is compared with the solution generated by the proposed model, demonstrating that the practical considerations incorporated into the model do not necessarily lead to increased shipping costs.

Suggested Citation

  • T N Wong & P S Chow & D Sculli, 2006. "A heuristic for sea-freight container selection, cargo allocation and cargo orientation," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 57(12), pages 1452-1463, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:57:y:2006:i:12:d:10.1057_palgrave.jors.2602116
    DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602116
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pisinger, David, 2002. "Heuristics for the container loading problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(2), pages 382-392, September.
    2. Birgin, E. G. & Martinez, J. M. & Ronconi, D. P., 2005. "Optimizing the packing of cylinders into a rectangular container: A nonlinear approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 160(1), pages 19-33, January.
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    7. Davies, A. Paul & Bischoff, Eberhard E., 1999. "Weight distribution considerations in container loading," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 114(3), pages 509-527, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. McDonald, Conor M., 2016. "Integrating packaging and supply chain decisions: Selection of economic handling unit quantities," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 208-221.

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