Integer programming model for ship loading management: a case study from cement industry

Abstract

Industries only survive in the modern business world if they are prepared to improve processes whenever it is necessary. Therefore, companies need to adapt and/or modify processes to improve the level of service and reduce needless costs. In this article the logistics problem of planning a ship load operation of a Portuguese cement company is addressed. The objective is to determine the best way to transport the bagged cement from the warehouse to a ship reducing costs and optimizing forklifts operations. A mathematical programming model is proposed showing this methodology as a powerful tool to provide effective support to a more intelligent decision process.