Jointly optimizing ocean shipping routes and sailing speed while considering involuntary and voluntary speed loss

Abstract

This study jointly optimizes ocean shipping routes and sailing speed by considering the influence of sea states, such as wind and wave states, on sailing speed. A joint optimization model for ocean shipping routes and sailing speed is established for ocean-going vessels to determine the optimal ocean shipping route and corresponding optimal sailing speed while minimizing fuel consumption, and the involuntary and voluntary speed losses caused by ocean environments and time window constraints are considered. To implement the proposed joint optimization model, a heuristic method based on a difference algorithm is designed to obtain an optimal solution. The proposed model and designed algorithm are applied to a real case study. The results show that the optimization model can efficiently reduce fuel consumption. The maximum and minimum fuel consumption reduction ratios are 5.04% and 0.21%, respectively, and the optimal ocean shipping routes and corresponding optimal sailing speeds that minimize fuel consumption can be determined. Furthermore, comparative experiments are conducted. The results indicate that the fuel consumption savings ratio achieved by the proposed algorithm is considerably higher than the ratios obtained by other algorithms.