Multi-Objective Optimization of Motor Vessel Route

This paper presents an original method that allows computation of the optimal route of a motor vessel by minimizing its fuel consumption. The proposed method is based on a new and efficient meshing procedure that is used to define a set of possible routes. A consumption prediction tool has been developed in order to estimate the fuel consumption along a given trajectory. The consumption model involves the effects of the meteorological conditions, the shape of the hull and the power train characteristics. Pareto-optimization with a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) is taken as a framework for the definition and the solution of the multi-objective optimization problem addressed. The final goal of this study is to provide a decision helping tool giving the route that minimizes the fuel consumption in a limited or optimum time.