A polynomial-time algorithm for sailing speed optimization with containership resource sharing

The level of service can be incorporated into a sailing speed optimization model from the perspective of supply chain management or from the perspective of shipping lines. We design a polynomial-time algorithm workable to solve the two models based on bi-section search methods. The novelties of the algorithm include constructing a new parameter on which the bi-section search will be executed and deriving a near-optimal solution by taking advantage of the problem structure. We also provide theoretical results that guarantee the validity of the polynomial-time algorithm.