A path based model for a green liner shipping network design problem

Liner shipping networks are the backbone of international trade providing low transportation cost, which is a major driver of globalization. These networks are under constant pressure to deliver capacity, cost effectiveness and environmentally conscious transport solutions. This article proposes a new path based MIP model for the Liner shipping Network Design Problem minimizing the cost of vessels and their fuel consumption facilitating a green network.

The proposed model reduces problem size using a novel aggregation of demands. A decomposition method enabling delayed column generation is presented. The subproblems have similar structure to Vehicle Routing Problems, which can be solved using dynamic programming.