Adriatic Sea Hub Ports Feeder Service Optimization Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods

Abstract

From a scientific viewpoint, as well as from the perspective of navigation practice, it is clear that the Adriatic Sea feeder service is relatively underdeveloped. Hence, the objective of this study is to suggest a model for selecting the hub port and to optimize the network of seaports engaged in the feeder service. Accordingly, an appropriate hub port has been identified through the methods of multi-criteria decision making and expert assessment, and the optimum shipping route has been calculated by applying the travelling salesman algorithm (TSA). In order to analyze whether there is a possibility of obtaining better optimization results, an integration of a sub-hub port system is suggested. Optimization has been achieved by applying a minimum spanning tree algorithm (MST) and a combination of these algorithms. The proposed methodology for selecting the hub port, sub-hub port and optimizing the feeder network can be implemented globally. The practical application of the achieved model would result in cost minimization, owing to shorter shipping routes or a combination of different transportation means (feeders).

Integrated Planning of Feeder Route Selection, Schedule Design, and Fleet Allocation with Multimodal Transport Path Selection Considered

“…Hellsten et al [1] formulated a vehicle routing optimization model with specific service frequency and simultaneous pickup-and-delivery characteristics for the feeder liner shipping network design. Medić et al [18] developed a trunk-and-feeder network optimization method to address the case in the Adriatic Sea. In their study, they determined the trunk port by using multicriteria decision-making and an expert evaluation method and then optimized the feeder routes by using the traveling-salesman algorithm.…”

“…Based on the given set of feeder ships, 1 ≤ n ≤ K, we need to determine the ship quantity. Specifically, Formula (18) ensures that each feeder ship can be allocated to, at most, one feeder route, and Formula (19) can calculate the ship quantity, Q r , allocated to feeder route r. In addition, the ship quantity required can be determined by the round-trip time and service frequency. Formula (20) requires that the ship quantity, Q r , that is allocated satisfies the ship quantity required.…”