A Mathematical Programming Model for Maritime Inventory Routing Problem

Abstract

Inventory routing problems (IRPs) have been one of the most important problems in the last thirty years and include inventory management, vehicle routes and distribution sub problems. Several IRPs have been implemented in various sectors. Maritime inventory routing problem (MIRP) has also been tackled widely. The problem includes the distribution of products and holding the inventory levels between upper and lower limits. In this study, MIRP for the distribution of containers considering available inventory levels aiming minimum total cost has been proposed. Distribution amount and the routes under the constraints of routing and inventory levels have been decided. The model is proposed for deciding both optimal routes of the ships and optimum inventory levels. An integer programming approach for the problem has been proposed and solved using GAMS software.