Hub-and-spoke network design for container shipping along the Yangtze River

Jianfeng Zheng and Dong Yang

Journal of Transport Geography, 2016, vol. 55, issue C, 51-57

Abstract: Increasingly large, high-tonnage containerships are becoming a common sight on the Yangtze River, and the shipping network is being transformed accordingly. This paper reports the design of a hub-and-spoke network for a shipping company that is consistent with the characteristics of the Yangtze River. We first explore the economies of scale for container shipping by applying empirical data. Next, we propose a mixed-integer linear programming model, factoring in ship-operating and container-handling costs. We then conduct a numerical experiment and test the effectiveness of the model, and finally discuss the implications of hub-and-spoke shipping network design. The findings reported herein support the trends toward cargo concentration and port regionalization along the Yangtze River.

Keywords: Inland river shipping; Hub-and-spoke network design; Mixed-integer linear programming; Cargo concentration and port regionalization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:55:y:2016:i:c:p:51-57

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.07.001

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