Two-stage stochastic integer programming model for multiperiod sea cargo mix problem in container shipping industry

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the cargo mix problem under uncertainty in the container shipping industry. We seek to determine the optimal cargo mix in a multiperiod planning horizon with the objective of maximizing the total expected profit derived from all freight bookings received in the planning horizon. We present a two-stage stochastic integer programming model and propose a heuristic algorithm for multiperiod sea cargo mix problem under uncertainty. Finally, numerical experiments on a wide range of randomly generated problem instances are conducted to demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm. © 2008 IEEE.