Optimization of maritime support network with relays under uncertainty: A novel matheuristics method

Construction and optimization of maritime support networks with relays have received extensive attention due to their implications for maritime economy and national interests. To improve total revenues under uncertain risk scenarios, we propose a general two-stage stochastic optimization framework for maritime support networks with relays. A novel matheuristics method (i.e., the interoperation of metaheuristics and mathematical programming techniques) is proposed as a general algorithm framework for reconfiguration under the serialized network disruption. Small, medium, and large benchmark groups are generated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed general network design framework, and show strong robustness and high efficiency of the proposed novel matheuristics method, compared with an exact algorithm and three types of representative heuristic algorithms.

Automated summary

Construction and optimization of maritime support networks with relays have been widely studied for their impact on maritime economy and national interests. This study proposes a two-stage stochastic optimization framework for these networks to improve total revenues under uncertain risk scenarios. A novel matheuristics method, which combines metaheuristics and mathematical programming techniques, is proposed as a general algorithm framework. The proposed method is shown to be robust and efficient through benchmark tests compared to exact and heuristic algorithms.