1. Hub-and-spoke network design for container shipping along the Yangtze River.
- Author
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Zheng, Jianfeng and Yang, Dong
- Subjects
- *
CONTAINER ships , *TONNAGE , *MIXED integer linear programming , *CARGO handling - Abstract
Increasingly large, high-tonnage containerships are becoming a common sight on the Yangtze River, and the shipping network is being transformed accordingly. This paper reports the design of a hub-and-spoke network for a shipping company that is consistent with the characteristics of the Yangtze River. We first explore the economies of scale for container shipping by applying empirical data. Next, we propose a mixed-integer linear programming model, factoring in ship-operating and container-handling costs. We then conduct a numerical experiment and test the effectiveness of the model, and finally discuss the implications of hub-and-spoke shipping network design. The findings reported herein support the trends toward cargo concentration and port regionalization along the Yangtze River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
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