Multi-objective optimization based on improved genetic algorithm for containership stowage on full route

In this paper, taking channel, shifts, ship stability, rolling period and trim of the river-sea-going containership as constraint conditions, the multi-objective optimal mathematical model of containership was established. Considering the minimum shift of the 20' and 40' containers mixed loading as object, with number of containers as a real coding, heuristic algorithm was used to generate the initial solution. With the trim and rolling period being targets, the initial solution was optimized by improved genetic algorithm. Six ports of the full route were selected and stowage result was calculated, and the computing time is about 8.042s. Result analysis showed that the fitness value were 0.049297, 0.048326, 0.000820, 0.039525, 0.010776, 0.047788, and the shift numbers were 0,6,0,0,0,0. The absolute value of trim was less than 0.05m, rolling period could be more than 9s. The obtained result can meet requirements of the transport efficiency and the safety of the ship. So the method is effective and could be applied for stowage of the actual navigation.