Heuristic Algorithm for Simulation and Optimization System of Port Tugboats Allocation

As base of the transportation system and pivot of international logistics, ports play quite a significant role in the logistics supply chain. The economical benefits of a port are directly influenced by the allocation of the tugboats. The tugboat shortage can result in an increase of the ship waiting time, leading to indisposition of being attached or affiliated to. On the other hand, low tugboat utilization is possibly caused by tugboat superabundance, resulting in a waste of port resources. In this paper, through the method of simulation and optimization, a heuristic simulation and optimization system is developed for the allocation of tugboats in port. The system can theoretically make possible the best allocation of tugs, due to which scientific decisions are much easier to make for the port managers. The design of architecture and the process simulation and optimization process are core of this paper, in which also proposed is a heuristic algorithm for optimal allocation of port tugs based on evolution strategies, leading to an improvement of the adaptability and diversity of the system from parent to future generations through the operation of the solution space.