Optimization of multi-dimensional container slot allocation based on joint dispatch and mutual renting

In recent years, the container liner industry is gradually changing from liner conference mode to liner alliance mode. The joint dispatch and mutual renting of shipping is a common strategy adopted by liner alliances. This paper bases on the multi-dimension of container type, size, deadweight tonnage and capacity, combined with long-term contractual customer booking requirements and the randomness of supply demand. It takes the total marginal transportation income and its rental income maximization as the goal to establish a stochastic allocation model. This model is transformed into an integer linear programming model by using the robust optimization method, which can be solved by Lingo software package. Finally, the result of a numerical example shows that adopting the strategy of joint dispatch and mutual renting can bring the most benefit to the enterprise.