Genetic algorithm to optimize unloading of large containers vessel in port of Tripoli-Lebanon

The quay crane scheduling problem (QCSP) in the Lebanese port (Tripoli) is discussed in this study. It consists in assigning each crane to a set of bays for a given vessel, while sequencing the unloading of these bays. In a previous study, we discussed two exacts methods whose main drawback is the difficulty to obtain results for large instances. That's why, we propose a genetic algorithm which enables us to overcome this and to get quickly near optimal solutions. We have tested and validated our method on real instances from the port of Tripoli.