A scenario-based dynamic programming model for multi-period liner ship fleet planning

This paper proposes a more realistic multi-period liner ship fleet planning problem for a liner container shipping company than has been studied in previous literature. The proposed problem is formulated as a scenario-based dynamic programming model consisting of a number of integer linear programming formulations for each single planning period, and the model can be solved efficiently by a shortest path algorithm on an acyclic network. A numerical example is carried out to illustrate the applicability of the proposed model and solution method. The numerical results show that chartering in ships may not always be a better policy for a long-term planning horizon though it is much cheaper than buying ships in the short-term. Purchasing ships seems to be a more profitable investment in the long run.