In the ever-evolving world of port operations, a comprehensive survey conducted by Yaqiong Lv from the State Key Laboratory of Maritime Technology and Safety at Wuhan University of Technology has shed light on the latest trends and advancements in intelligent scheduling methods. The study, published in the journal ‘Mathematics’ (translated from the original title ‘Matematikos’), delves into the intricacies of port seaside operations, focusing on berth allocation, quay crane, and tugboat scheduling.
Lv’s research reviewed and analyzed 152 academic publications from 2000 to 2025, providing a clear picture of the current landscape and future directions in this critical area. The findings reveal that deterministic models remain the most popular approach, accounting for 77% of the studies. However, there is a growing interest in uncertainty-aware models, which make up 23% of the research.
The survey highlights that heuristic and simulation-based approaches are the most commonly used methods, with a significant 60.5% of studies employing these techniques. Exact algorithms follow, being used in 21.7% of the research, while agent-based methods are utilized in 12.5% of the cases.
Lv notes, “While berth and quay crane scheduling have historically been the primary focus, there is a growing research interest in tugboat operations, pilot assignment, and vessel routing under navigational constraints.” This shift in focus presents new opportunities for the maritime sector to optimize operations and improve efficiency.
The evolution of port seaside scheduling methods is evident, moving from static, single-resource optimization to dynamic, multi-resource coordination enabled by intelligent modeling. This progress is driven by the integration of advanced technologies such as large language models, green scheduling strategies, and human–machine collaboration.
For maritime professionals, the implications are significant. The adoption of these intelligent scheduling methods can lead to more efficient port operations, reduced costs, and improved environmental performance. As Lv explains, “The integration of large language models and green scheduling strategies can help ports achieve their sustainability goals while maintaining high levels of efficiency.”
The survey also underscores the importance of human–machine collaboration, which can enhance decision-making processes and improve overall port performance. This collaborative approach can lead to better resource allocation, reduced congestion, and increased throughput, ultimately benefiting the entire maritime supply chain.
In conclusion, Lv’s research provides valuable insights into the current state and future trends of intelligent scheduling methods in port seaside operations. For maritime professionals, the findings offer a roadmap for leveraging advanced technologies to optimize port operations and achieve sustainable growth. As the industry continues to evolve, the integration of these intelligent methods will be crucial in meeting the demands of a dynamic and competitive global market.