Maritime chemical logistics: Importance of optimization modeling and research opportunities

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of optimization models in academic literature that address a wide variety of maritime transportation planning problems and the significant cost saving opportunities that these models can offer, their applications in maritime chemical logistics remain few and far between. In this paper, we aim to address the overlook of optimization models by industry practitioners in two ways. First, we present several models developed by our group that can address realistic problems in maritime chemical logistics. Second, we identify and describe future research opportunities in this field. On the whole, several opportunities remain available for improving the decision-making processes in maritime chemical logistics via optimization modeling, and for addressing the practical needs of various stakeholders which include port operators, shipping and chemical companies. Copyright © (2008) by CAL-TEK S.r.l.