Classification and literature review on the integration of simulation and optimization in maritime logistics studies

Abstract

The traditional maritime logistics industry is facing an industry transformation created by technology development. Along with industry transformation, the maritime logistics research field is also facing new challenges and opportunities. It is found that using simulation or optimization alone to solve maritime logistics decision problems has some drawbacks. Instead, a trend of integrating the two methods is becoming more and more popular in recent literature. However, an in-depth and systematic literature review is absent. Thus, this article reviews 107 papers on the integration of simulation and optimization for the maritime logistics studies published in the last two decades. Five modes of integration are identified based on how the two methods interact. For each mode, a detailed literature review on different maritime logistics processes is presented, covering terminal operation, shipping line operation, and hinterland transport operation. Lastly, how the integration of simulation and optimization could contribute to the next generation maritime systems is discussed with future research directions given.

Keywords:

• Maritime logistics
• literature review
• simulation optimization integration
• operations research
• transportation

Additional information

Funding

This research has been made possible with funding support from the Singapore Maritime Institute.

Notes on contributors

Chenhao Zhou

Chenhao Zhou is currently a Professor at the Department of Management Science and Engineering, School of Management, Northwestern Polytechnical University. Prior to this, he was a Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management in National University of Singapore. He graduated from Xi'an Jiatong University with B.Eng. in Automation in 2012, and then obtained his PhD from National University of Singapore in 2017. He has worked on logistics and transportation research using simulation and optimization methods for years, and has published several papers on Transportation Science, Transportation Research Part E, etc.

Ning Ma

Ning Ma is currently an Assistant Professor in School of Public Policy and Administration. His research interest is in transportation management, resource allocation optimization, and new technology application. He graduated from School of Economics and Management of Harbin Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in 2012; graduated from School of Management of Xi'an Jiaotong University with a doctorate in 2018; worked as Research Fellow in Faculty of Engineering of National University of Singapore from 2018 to 2020. He has published several papers in the high-level journals, like Computers & Operations Research, Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, etc.

Xinhu Cao

Xinhu Cao is a Research Fellow in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, National University of Singapore. She obtained her PhD degree in Maritime Studies from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research interests focus on catastrophe risk assessment, disruption management, as well as transportation system simulation and optimization. She is a member of International Association of Maritime Economists.

Loo Hay Lee

Loo Hay Lee is a Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, National University of Singapore. He is a senior member of IEEE and has served as a council member in the simulation society of INFORMS. His research focuses on the simulation-based optimization, maritime logistics which includes port operations and the modelling and analysis for the logistics and supply chain system. He is the Director of the Centre for Next Generation Logistics, and the Centre for Maritime Studies. He is also the co-director of the Centre of Excellence for Simulation and Modelling for Next Generation Ports.

Ek Peng Chew

Ek Peng Chew is a Professor in the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management at the National University of Singapore. His research interests include supply chain and simulation optimization. Dr. Chew is the Director of the Centre of Excellence for Simulation and Modelling for Next Generation Ports; the co-director of the Centre for Next Generation Logistics and Deputy Director of Centre for Maritime Studies.