scholarly journals Research on the Optimization of Empty Container Repositioning of China Railway Express in Cooperation with International Liner Companies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3182
Author(s):  
Lei Xing ◽  
Hong Yan ◽  
Yandong Yin ◽  
Qi Xu
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Numerical Experiments ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Optimization Models ◽  
Empty Container ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Empty Container Repositioning ◽  
China Railway ◽  
The Cost

Both China Railway Express (CRE) companies and international liner companies are faced with the problem of empty container repositioning. In order to reduce empty container repositioning cost and realize their sustainable development, this paper studies the optimization problem of empty container repositioning under the condition of their cooperation. To minimize the cost, three optimization models of empty container repositioning are established, which are based on the single repositioning and cooperative repositioning. Numerical experiments are carried out to analyze the three empty container repositioning optimization models solved by CPLEX. The results show that the total cost could be greatly reduced by the cooperative repositioning. The effects of cooperation become more obvious with the unit storage cost or repositioning cost increases and become weaker with the unit mutual rental cost increase. When the demand fluctuation is in a certain range, the cooperation is still effective, which can reduce the cost. But when it is beyond a certain range, the benefits will be greatly reduced. In reality, for the sustainability of their cooperation, both sides should pay attention to the proportion of supply and demand and set reasonable mutual rental cost.

Maritime Empty Container Repositioning

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Khakbaz ◽  
Jyotirmoyee Bhattacharjya
Keyword(s):  
Classification Scheme ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Empty Container ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Maritime Shipping ◽  
Empty Container Repositioning ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
Empty Containers ◽  
The Cost

Maritime shipping containers are important to a number of different industries as they facilitate the reduction of transportation costs. To address the needs of shippers, empty containers need to be repositioned globally between seaports. Since the cost of empty container repositioning (ECR) constitutes a significant element of the total cost of running a global container fleet operation, the problem has been receiving increasing attention from scholars. The diversity of this literature necessitates the development an appropriate classification scheme to identify trends, gaps, and directions for future research. This paper reviews publications on maritime ECR over the last two decades and examines such trends and potential research directions.

scholarly journals Distributed Robust Chance-Constrained Empty Container repositioning Optimization of the China Railway Express

Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 706
Author(s):  
Lei Xing ◽  
Qi Xu ◽  
Jiaxin Cai ◽  
Zhihong Jin
Keyword(s):  
Partial Information ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Chance Constraints ◽  
Chance Constrained Programming ◽  
Intermodal Transportation ◽  
Empty Container ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Empty Container Repositioning ◽  
China Railway ◽  
Constrained Programming

In order to reduce the total cost of empty container repositioning, a multi-period empty container repositioning optimization model of the China Railway Express was established by using distributed robust chance-constrained programming based on partial information such as mean and variance of demand. This established model considered sea-land intermodal transportation, uncertain empty container demand and foldable containers. To simplify the model, the distributed robust chance constraints were transformed into equivalent ones that could be easily solved, and the empty container demands were determined. Numerical experiments were carried out to analyze the influence of different parameters on the total cost. The results showed that the total cost could be greatly reduced by sea-land intermodal transportation. Using foldable containers could reduce the total cost of empty container repositioning. With the improvement of service level, the numbers of empty container repositioning increased owing to the distributional robust chance constraints. When standard and foldable containers were used simultaneously, the total cost could be greatly reduced by appropriately using foldable containers under three different supply–demand relationships of containers. The optimization results may provide a greatly feasible reference for the decision makers of the China Railway Express.

Maritime Empty Container Repositioning

2018 ◽  
pp. 210-233
Author(s):  
Hossein Khakbaz ◽  
Jyotirmoyee Bhattacharjya
Keyword(s):  
Transportation Costs ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Empty Container ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Maritime Shipping ◽  
Empty Container Repositioning ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
Empty Containers ◽  
The Cost

Maritime shipping containers are important to a number of different industries as they facilitate the reduction of transportation costs. To address the needs of shippers, empty containers need to be repositioned globally between seaports. Since the cost of empty container repositioning (ECR) constitutes a significant element of the total cost of running a global container fleet operation, the problem has been receiving increasing attention from scholars. The diversity of this literature necessitates the development an appropriate classification scheme to identify trends, gaps, and directions for future research. This paper reviews publications on maritime ECR over the last two decades and examines such trends and potential research directions.

scholarly journals Optimization on the Multi-period Empty Container Repositioning Problem in Regional Port Cluster Based upon Inventory Control Strategies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaxin Cai ◽  
Yubo Li ◽  
Yandong Yin ◽  
Xiaohan Wang ◽  
Zhihong Jin
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Control ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Programming Model ◽  
Mixed Integer ◽  
Dynamic Programming Method ◽  
Empty Container ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Shipping Company ◽  
Empty Container Repositioning ◽  
Port Clusters

Abstract Within the area of regional port clusters, this paper establishes a multi-period mixed integer programming model to optimize the empty container repositioning between public hinterlands and ports, comprehensively considering the quantitative and periodic inventory control strategy. By using Markov decision process combined with dynamic programming method, this paper dynamically optimizes the empty container inventory threshold (D;U) under quantitative strategy and S under periodical strategy at each port within the regional port clusters. On this basis, this paper optimizes the empty container repositioning scheme between public hinterlands and ports. Meanwhile, Liaoning coastal regional port cluster and its northeast hinterland are selected as the objects to solve this model and the results show that the total cost of shipping company can be saved by 14.16% and 11.92% respec- tively by the quantitative and periodical inventory control strategy. Selecting the quantity of public hinterland terminals, the empty container demand of public hinterland terminals and ports, the inventory threshold of empty containers and other factors, this paper carries on the sensitivity analysis. This paper validates inventory control strategy can weaken the shipping company in the influence of the external environment changes. And the quantitativeinventory control strategy can reduce the total cost value to a greater extent and more effective in cost control than periodical strategy.

Multi-Objective Optimization Design of Tanker Ships via a Genetic Algorithm

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Ramos Martins ◽  
Diego F. Sarzosa Burgos
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Optimization Design ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Pareto Frontier ◽  
Ship Design ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
The Cost

The cost of a new ship design heavily depends on the principal dimensions of the ship; however, dimensions minimization often conflicts with the minimum oil outflow (in the event of an accidental spill). This study demonstrates one rational methodology for selecting the optimal dimensions and coefficients of form of tankers via the use of a genetic algorithm. Therein, a multi-objective optimization problem was formulated by using two objective attributes in the evaluation of each design, specifically, total cost and mean oil outflow. In addition, a procedure that can be used to balance the designs in terms of weight and useful space is proposed. A genetic algorithm was implemented to search for optimal design parameters and to identify the nondominated Pareto frontier. At the end of this study, three real ships are used as case studies.

scholarly journals Optimization of multi- period empty container repositioning and renting in CHINA RAILWAY Express based on container sharing strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinying Tang ◽  
Si Chen ◽  
Yuan Feng ◽  
Xinglong Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Optimization Method ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Container Transportation ◽  
Empty Container ◽  
Steady Growth ◽  
Sharing Strategy ◽  
China Railway ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Background With the steady growth of trade between China and Europe, the number of trains in CHINA RAILWAY Express has steadily increased under the Belt and Road Initiative. By the end of 2019, more than 21,000 trains have been operated. However, in the development of CHINA RAILWAY Express, the cost of empty container transportation and leasing remains high. So, it is necessary to put forward the strategy of container sharing. Aim Through the optimization of empty container transfer and rent under container sharing, this study aim to reduce the operation cost and put forward the strategy of container sharing. Method Considering the dynamic characteristics of empty container transportation in reality, this paper constructs a multi-period empty container transportation optimization model with the lowest total cost and the stability of the network, combining with the container sharing strategy. Lyapunov optimization method is used to transform the complex problem into a single period optimization problem, and then genetic algorithm is used to solve the model. Result Based on the analysis of 13 existing regular train companies, the results show that the model can effectively improve the utilization rate of containers and reduce the cost in the decision-making period. Based on the results and parameters analysis, some suggestions are put forward to optimize the empty container sharing and effectively realize of container sharing.

scholarly journals Do Foldable Containers Enhance Efficient Empty Container Repositioning under Demand Fluctuation?—Case of the Pacific Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4730
Author(s):  
Zirui Liang ◽  
Ryuichi Shibasaki ◽  
Yuji Hoshino
Keyword(s):  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Empty Container ◽  
Scenario Analyses ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Empty Container Repositioning ◽  
Empty Containers ◽  
Reduction Effect ◽  
The Cost

This study considers the empty container repositioning problem of shipping companies that use standard and 3-in-1 foldable containers with more advanced designs. A mathematical model is developed to compare the total management costs of container repositioning of various patterns in different cargo shipping demand scenarios. Numerous scenario analyses and simulations of empty container repositioning were conducted, focusing on a liner shipping service in the Pacific Islands where empty containers are likely to be present because of the imbalance between inbound and outbound flows of containers, including static analysis and consecutive analysis with demand fluctuation in different approaches. Results show that with the introduction of foldable containers, depending on the growth rate of container cargo shipping demand, the total management costs of empty container repositioning can be reduced. However, introducing a large number of foldable containers may increase the total management costs of container repositioning. Moreover, the cost reduction effect of adding another containership increases in cases where future cargo shipping demand increases substantially. Furthermore, the introduction of foldable containers not only effectively reduces the management costs of empty containers, but also makes costs more stable and predictable.

scholarly journals Stochastic Empty Container Repositioning Problem with CO2 Emission Considerations for an Intermodal Transportation System

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 4211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Zhao ◽  
Qingwan Xue ◽  
Xi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emission ◽  
Stochastic Demand ◽  
Transportation System ◽  
Nonlinear Integer Programming ◽  
Intermodal Transportation ◽  
Empty Container ◽  
Demand And Supply ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Related Cost ◽  
Empty Container Repositioning

As one of main challenge for carriers, empty container repositioning is subject to various uncertain factors in practice, which causes more operation costs. At the same time, the movements of empty containers can result in air pollution because of the CO2 emission, which has a negative impact on sustainable development. To incorporate environmental and stochastic characteristics of container shipping, in this paper, an empty container repositioning problem, taking into account CO2 emission, stochastic demand, and supply, is introduced in a sea–rail intermodal transportation system. This problem is formulated as a chance-constrained nonlinear integer programming model minimising the expected value of total weighted cost. A sample average approximation method is applied to convert this model into its deterministic equivalents, which is then solved by the proposed two-phase tabu search algorithm. A numerical example is studied to conclude that the stochastic demand and supply lead to more repositioning and CO2 emission-related cost. Total cost, inventory cost, and leasing cost increase with the variabilities of uncertain parameters. We also found that the total cost and other component costs are strongly dependent on the weights of repositioning cost and CO2 emission-related cost. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis is conducted on unit leasing cost.

scholarly journals Fuzzy inventory model for NVOCC’s returnable containers under empty container repositioning with leasing option

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Rajeswari ◽  
C. Sugapriya ◽  
D. Nagarajan
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Inventory Model ◽  
Empty Container ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Empty Container Repositioning ◽  
Fuzzy Inventory ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Fuzzy Inventory Model

AbstractAt present, the entire globe gets engaged in importing and exporting the products for promoting their business in which supply chain management is playing a vital role. The main aspect of any effective supply chain management is the transportation of cargoes. To avoid the damages of cargoes during transportation and for minimizing the cost, the returnable containers are used. The present research deals with an inventory model of Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) for returnable containers with price dependent demand under fuzzy environment. In this study, it is presumed that the import of cargoes is less than the export. The Empty Container Repositioning (ECR) and the leasing options are utilized to replace the deficit containers which prevent shortages. The proportion of the used containers returned, the proportion of the repositioned containers and the fraction of repairable from the returned containers are considered as Triangular Fuzzy Numbers [TFNs]. Fuzzy inventory model is framed for the purpose of attaining optimal length of the screening, the repositioning cycle and the leasing cycle which are used to minimize the expected total cost and the proposed model is illustrated with the numerical example. The sensitivity analysis is performed to show the effect of fuzziness of return rate, repositioning rate and repairable percentage along with the changes in parameters.

Preventive Maintenance Optimization and Comparison of Genetic Algorithm Models in a Series–Parallel Multi-State System

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imane Maatouk ◽  
Iman Jarkass ◽  
Eric Châtelet ◽  
Nazir Chebbo
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Preventive Maintenance ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Parallel Systems ◽  
Optimization Models ◽  
Maintenance Optimization ◽  
Maintenance Period ◽  
Characteristic Parameters ◽  
Maintenance Schedule ◽  
The Cost

Abstract In this research, different optimization models are developed to solve the preventive maintenance (PM) optimization problem in a maintainable multi-state series–parallel system. The objective is to determine for each component in the system the maintenance period minimizing a cost function under the constraint of required availability and for a specified horizon of time. Four genetic models based on the cost associated with maintenance schedule and availability characteristic parameters are constructed and analyzed. They are genetic algorithm (GA), hybridization GA and local search (GA-LS), fuzzy logic controlled GA (FLC-GA), and hybridization FLC-GA and LS. The experiment analyzes and compares the efficiency between them. These experiments investigate the effect of the parameters of the GA on the structure of optimal PM schedules in multi-state multi-component series–parallel systems. Results show that the hybridization FLC-GA and LS outperform the other algorithms.

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