Application of a mathematical model for container transport flow of goods: from the far east to Serbia

Abstract

Container transport represents a key component of intermodal transport and a substantial contribution to the rapidly growing international trade. The container trade should be optimal to provide a suitable resource utilisation and profitability to key operators, providing them an easy and relatively cheap access to international markets. Numerous algorithms have been generated to provide an efficient solution to optimisation problems in container trade. This paper analyses the supply-chain network focusing on container import from the Far East to Serbia through selected Mediterranean ports (Koper, Rijeka, Bar, Thessaloniki and Constanta). An optimisation mathematical model was developed, minimising the transit time and transportation costs of container imports to Serbia, by means of using various liner shipping services on the deep-short sea and truck-rail-barge inland transport networks from selected ports. By using the bi-objective model for container flows from the Far East through Mediterranean ports, the optimal path for container import to Serbia has been determined. Certain groups of customers require the lowest freight rates, while others give priority to a faster delivery.