Optimal fleet composition and periodic routing of offshore supply vessels

The supply vessel planning problem is a maritime transportation problem faced by amongst others the energy company Statoil. A set of offshore installations requires supplies from an onshore supply depot on a regular basis, a service performed by a fleet of offshore supply vessels. The problem consists of determining the optimal fleet composition of offshore supply vessels and their corresponding weekly voyages and schedules. We present a voyage-based solution method for the supply vessel planning problem. A computational study shows how the solution method can be used to solve real-life problems. Statoil has implemented a planning tool based on the voyage-based solution method and reports significant savings.

► A maritime planning problem arising in the supply service of offshore installations is studied. ► Optimal fleet composition of supply vessels and underlying weekly sailing plan is found. ► A voyage-based solution method can solve real-sized problem instances. ► Planning tool based on the solution method is implemented at Statoil. ► Statoil reports significant savings by using the planning tool.