Optimal Slot Allocation in Intra-Asia Service for Liner Shipping Companies

Liner shipping companies strive for fully loading cargo on vessels and often neglect revenue management opportunities. Shipping agents in different ports typically compete for additional slots on containerships to improve their own revenue. In booming markets, arguments over slot allocation between shipping agencies occur frequently. Intra-Asian service routes are designed to call at many ports to provide frequent sailings, reduced shipping time and direct delivery. Slot allocation in intra-Asia liner shipping is more complex than that for long-haul liner shipping. This study uses revenue management modelling as a decision-support tool to enhance profit and management performance of liner shipping agencies. The model is explained using a case study of Taiwan liner shipping company. Experimental results show the proposed model to have better applicability and performance than conventional slot allocation models. Maritime Economics & Logistics (2008) 10, 295–309. doi:10.1057/mel.2008.6