Research on the Optimization of Intermodal Empty Container Reposition of Land-carriage

This paper uses integer programming to investigate reposition of intermodal empty containers of land-carriage. In the model, the objective is to minimize the cost of distributing empty containers from port to port—from supplier to port, from port to demander. It takes into consideration the following factors. First, the requirement of empty containers from the demanders and the ability of the suppliers to supple empty containers are satisfied. Second, the ability to store empty containers in the ports and load limit to empty containers by varied transport methods is satisfied. Lingo 8.0 is adopted to solve the model. Results obtained from the computation show that the model can reduce the reposition cost effectively under the condition that it satisfies the requirement from the demanders, the ability of suppliers to supply and storage ability in the port, etc. The model has raised the efficiency of repositioning of intermodal empty containers of land-carriage by a shipping company.