Constraint programming based column generation heuristics for a ship routing and berthing time assignment problem

Abstract

We develop a constraint programming based heuristic algorithm using column generation technique to solve a ship routing problem which the loading and unloading times of cargoes at pickup and drop-off locations are significant. In order to prevent congestions at the locations, we need to assign berthing time slots to each vessel to perform the loading and unloading tasks at different locations. This problem is motivated by the operations of a feeder vessel service company with company-owned cargo terminals, which the shipping company wishes to coordinate the routing and the berthing time of the vessels.