OPTIMAL SPEED AND SHIP SIZE FOR THE LINER TRADES

This report aims to distinguish the economic characteristics affecting the liner trade from those of the other cargo sectors, and to see how these factors affect an operator's choice of ship. Size and speed of the vessel are viewed as priority factors and many of the examples are from container shipping. Initially, costing methods used in marine transport are reviewed, alongside ship turnaround times and the factors which influence them. Once the liner trades' characteristics have been clearly set out the discussion moves onto the choice of best speed and size for a cargo liner, citing North Atlantic container trades as an example. The report then uses mathematical models to derive the best vessel particulars, based on profit maximisation, within the constraints of service frequency and cargo demand. It is concluded that combinations of service frequency, ship size and speed, all affect the choice of an operator, not merely ship costs. The report not only makes interesting reading, but with the in-depth mathematical analyses and numerous isoquants at the back of the book, also provides something for a prospective owner/operator to get his teeth into.

• Corporate Authors:

  Liverpool University

  Marine Transport Centre, P.O. Box 147
  Liverpool L69 3BX,   England 
• Publication Date: 0

Media Info

• Pagination: n.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Containerships; Costs; Economic analysis; Economics; Liner shipping; Mathematical models; Naval architecture; Ship operations; Shipping; Ships by size; Transportation; Turnaround time
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ship models; Transportation costs
• Old TRIS Terms: Economic analysis (Ship operation); Shipping economics
• Subject Areas: Economics; Operations and Traffic Management; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00312209
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 26 1980 12:00AM