In the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world was scrambling to keep up with the sudden surge in medical demands, a team of researchers led by Jun Yang from the Faculty of Maritime and Transportation at Ningbo University in China, found a way to streamline the distribution of emergency medical supplies. Their work, recently published in the journal ‘Systems’ (translated to English), offers a blueprint for improving the efficiency of medical material dispatching during public health crises, with significant implications for the maritime sector.
The team tackled the challenge of emergency material distribution by creating a framework that integrates regional medical resource allocation with cross-regional supply chain networks. Imagine it as a two-way street, where supplies flow both within and outside affected areas, like Hubei Province during the COVID-19 pandemic. This internal-external coupled dispatching approach is designed to enhance demand satisfaction and improve overall dispatching effectiveness.
Here’s how it works: the researchers used the SEIR epidemiological model to predict infection rates and estimate material demands. They then incorporated bidirectional dispatching efficiency as a key determinant of demand urgency. By systematically categorizing affected areas based on risk, they developed a dual-objective optimization model. This model aims to minimize both logistical time and cost, and it’s solved using the NSGA-II algorithm.
Jun Yang, the lead author, explains, “Our internal-external coupled emergency material dispatching approach significantly enhances demand satisfaction in affected regions and improves overall dispatching effectiveness.” This approach could be a game-changer for the maritime sector, which plays a crucial role in the global supply chain.
The commercial impacts and opportunities for the maritime sector are substantial. Efficient material dispatching can lead to reduced costs and faster delivery times, making the supply chain more resilient and responsive to crises. This could open up new opportunities for maritime logistics providers to specialize in emergency medical supply distribution.
Moreover, the model’s ability to minimize logistical time and cost could drive demand for more efficient and sustainable shipping practices. As Jun Yang puts it, “This study offers practical recommendations and valuable references for emergency material dispatching during public health crises.” For maritime professionals, this could mean investing in technologies and strategies that enhance dispatching efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
In essence, the research by Jun Yang and his team provides a valuable tool for improving emergency material dispatching, with significant implications for the maritime sector. By embracing this approach, maritime professionals can contribute to a more resilient and sustainable global supply chain, ready to face the challenges of future public health crises.