Definition of optimal fleets for Sea Motorways: The case of France and Spain on the Atlantic coast

Abstract

This work introduces an optimisation model to define the technical and operative features of fleets, which maximises the success opportunities in terms of cost and time for multimodal chains against the road. This model regards the relationships among technical alternatives for fleets, vessels, port facilities, cargo units and their influence on the activity of 'many to many' transport networks through short sea shipping. From the resolution of the model, it is possible to define not only the kind and number of vessels and cargo units, their manoeuvre means, speed and cargo handling systems, but also their naval architecture and engineering. A multiobjective evolutionary algorithm, the NSGA-II, has been applied to resolve this model as applied to multimodal chains between Spain and France through the Atlantic coast. Its application allows to verifying the utility of the model proposed. Finally, the most suitable fleets for the Sea Motorways Vigo-St. Nazaire and Gijon-St. Nazaire have been identified.