Objective
The project’s main innovation is attributed to the synthesis of its two main pillars, (a) maritime logistics research and (b) emissions-related research. With some exceptions, these two topics have been treated by and large separately in the literature and there is little within their interface. In that sense, the main objective of this project is to engage in cross-disciplinary research that is relevant for the area of ‘Green Maritime Logistics’, which is defined as an attempt to attain an acceptable environmental performance of the maritime transportation mode, while at the same time respecting traditional economic performance criteria. Furthermore, in reality several, and often contrasting, objectives should be considered when optimizing maritime transport. Our models will include bi-objective (such as total cost and emissions) and multiobjective optimization; hence making our approach more realistic. Another innovative aspect of the project concerns the link of the logistics/emissions research to its potential policy implications. There is quite a bit of activity in the policy/regulatory front on issues related to the problems examined by this project, but this tends to be fragmented and patchwork.
The challenge is to model the real world well enough while still having a model that is tractable by the computers of today. Generic solvers can solve some of these models while in other cases research relies on algorithms like metaheuristics, branch-and-cut and column generation.
The need of a holistic approach to formulate sensible policies is more than clear and this project will entail a connection to the policy dimension. By doing the above, the proposed research would offer significant added value and societal benefits due to a better environmental performance of shipping, as well as benefits to both private shipping companies and other operators. It would also enhance the state of knowledge in a research area, which is currently developing.
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
Call for proposal
FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG
See other projects for this call
Coordinator
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark