A MILP-based column generation strategy for managing large-scale maritime distribution problems. (2nd January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cóccola, Mariana E.; Dondo, Rodolfo; Méndez, Carlos A.
• Is Part Of: Computers & chemical engineering. Volume 72(2015)
• Page Start: 350
• Page End: 362
• Publication Date: 2015-01-02
• Subjects: Tramp shipping -- Ship routing and scheduling -- Column generation -- MILP-slave-formulation; Chemical engineering -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 660.0285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2014.04.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0098-1354

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents a novel column generation algorithm for managing the logistics activities performed by a fleet of multi-parcel chemical tankers. In our procedure, for providing elementary routes, the conventional dynamic programming routes-generator is replaced by an efficient continuous-time MILP-slave problem. The performance of the decomposition method is evaluated by solving several examples dealing with the operations of a shipping company operating in the Asia Pacific Region. Computational results show that the proposed approach outperforms a pure exact optimization model and an alternative heuristic solution method reported in the literature.