An Optimization Method for Location-Routing of Cruise Ship Cabin Materials Considering Obstacle Blocking Effects

Abstract

This study examines the challenges related to the storage and distribution of cabin materials on board during the construction of cruise ships. The construction process of cruise ships involves the assembly of various cabin materials, which are temporarily stored and transported in a complex deck environment with multiple obstacles. These processes can be viewed as location-routing problems (LRPs). However, existing solutions for LRPs do not account for the obstacles commonly encountered in deck environments. Therefore, this paper introduces a new variant of LRPs, termed as the BE-LRP (blocking environment location-routing problem). Initially, by considering the optimization objectives of minimizing the distribution distance and the number of vehicles required, the paper develops an optimization model for the location-routing of on-board materials while taking obstacles into consideration. Subsequently, a method for estimating blocked distances is proposed. This method utilizes Gaussian process regression to predict blocked distances and enables the rapid estimation of distances obstructed by obstacles between different destinations. Lastly, a hybrid obstacle blocking distance processing HO-NSGAII algorithm is formulated to address the BE-LRP. Experimental comparisons demonstrate that the distribution scheme derived from this research method does not necessitate modifications to the delivery distance when compared to the traditional NSGAII algorithm, and better aligns with the actual deck conditions. With an equivalent number of delivery vehicles, the scheme results in shorter delivery distances. The delivery distance can be reduced by 3–17% under varying circumstances. These findings are advantageous for enhancing the efficiency of cruise ship construction and mitigating the impact of warehousing and distribution on construction progress.