Optimisation of maritime routes: An intelligent approach to logistics efficiency

[EN] Efficient maritime route planning is pivotal for optimising global logistics operations in an increasingly competitive environment. This study aims to determine the optimal number of clusters among 90 georeferenced ports across six continents, minimizing distances and enhancing operational effi...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Alzate, Paola, Guevara, Aura, Isaza, Gustavo A., Toro, Eliana M., Jaramillo-Garzón, Jorge A.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)
Repositorio:RiuNet. Repositorio Institucional de la Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:riunet.upv.es:10251/232245
Acceso en línea:https://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/232245
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Logistics clustering
Maritime route optimisation
Operational efficiency
Maritime transportation
Intelligent routing
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] Efficient maritime route planning is pivotal for optimising global logistics operations in an increasingly competitive environment. This study aims to determine the optimal number of clusters among 90 georeferenced ports across six continents, minimizing distances and enhancing operational efficiency through advanced clustering techniques. Methods such as geographic k-means, Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM), and hierarchical clustering were implemented and evaluated using quality metrics like the Calinski-Harabasz, Silhouette, and Davies-Bouldin indices. The results identified 13 optimal clusters that reflect logical and geographically coherent segmentation, highlighting geographic k-means for its consistency and replicability. Additionally, integrating an intelligent routing model enabled the design of optimised routes within each cluster, reducing distances and maximizing logistical efficiency. The proposed methodology, developed in Python, demonstrates not only its applicability to maritime operations but also its potential for extrapolation to other contexts, showcasing robustness and relevance for global strategic planning. This approach represents a significant advancement in integrating clustering and optimisation techniques to enhance maritime supply chain management.