Modelling Empty Container Repositioning Logistics

Part I (Chaps. 1),Chapter 1. Container logistics chain and empty container repositioning (ECR)Maritime logistics and container logisticsContainer logistics chainImportance of empty container repositioningReasons for empty container repositioningModelling methods for empty container repositioningReferences
In Part II (Chaps. 2~7),Chapter 2. Closed-form optimal ECR policy in a single depot with random demand IntroductionA fluid flow model based on continuous-time dynamic programmingStructural properties of the optimal policy Solving the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equationsExtension to more general casesNumerical examples Summary and notesReferences
Chapter 3. Optimal ECR policy in two-depot stochastic systems: periodic-reviewIntroductionA discrete stochastic dynamic programming modelOptimal ECR policy and its structural propertiesNear-optimal threshold policyNumerical examplesSummary and notesReferences
Chapter 4. Optimal ECR policy in two-depot stochastic systems: continuous-reviewIntroductionDiscounted cost caseConvert into discrete-time Markov decision processOptimal ECR policy and its structural propertiesClosed-form objective function and optimal threshold valuesNumerical examplesLong-run average cost caseConvert into discrete-time Markov decision processStationary distribution under threshold control policyOptimality of threshold control policyNumerical examplesSummary and notesReferences
Chapter 5. Optimal and near-optimal ECR policies in hub-and-spoke stochastic systemsIntroduction Convert into discrete-time Markov decision processOptimal ECR policySuboptimal policy using a dynamic decomposition procedureNumerical examplesSummary and notesReferences
Chapter 6. Container sharing and ECR in two-depot stochastic systemsIntroductionOptimal ECR policy without container sharingOptimal ECR policy with container sharingPractical ECR policies Numerical examplesSummary and notesReferences
Chapter 7. Optimal ECR in general inland transport systems with uncertaintyIntroductionChance-constrained programming modelRobust optimisation modelInventory control modelSummary and notesReferences

Part III. (Chaps. 8~15),Chapter 8. Container fleet sizing and ECR in shipping route with uncertain demandsIntroductionProblem formulationSolution methodsParameterized rule-based policyHeuristic policySimulation-based evolutionary optimisationCase studiesSummary and notesReferences
Chapter 9. Container fleet sizing and ECR in shipping service considering inland transport times with uncertaintyIntroductionProblem formulationA rule-based operational policySimulation-based optimisationCase studiesSummary and notesReferences
Chapter 10. Container lease term optimisation and ECR in shipping route with uncertain demandIntroductionProblem descriptionContainer lease term optimisation modelOperational rules in dynamic shipping systemsSolution procedure to optimise lease termsCase studiesSummary and notesReferences
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