Shipping plan creation device, shipping plan creation method, and shipping plan creation program

Abstract

To create a shipping plan so as to reduce a difference between raw materials required for an unloading place, while suppressing cost.SOLUTION: A server device 2 for deriving a shipping plan for conveying raw materials from a loading place to an unloading site by a ship includes: an acquisition unit 21 for acquiring condition information set by a user; a first setting unit 28 for setting a first index as an index which includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and indicates cost required for conveyance, using the condition information; a second setting unit 29 for setting a second index as an index which includes a second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and indicates a difference between raw materials scheduled to be conveyed to the unloading site and raw materials required for the unloading place, using the condition information; and a calculation unit 23 for deriving the parameter related to the shipping plan so that a value of an objective function including the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index becomes smaller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vessel allocation plan creation device, a vessel allocation plan creation method, and a vessel allocation plan creation program. [Background technology]

[0002] When transporting raw materials by ship, a ship allocation plan is drawn up from the loading port to the discharging port. However, ship allocation plans tend to become more complex, and various solutions have been proposed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the creation of a low-cost shipping plan. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6586945 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When transporting raw materials by ship, if you try to keep transportation costs down, there is a possibility that the raw materials required by the discharge port will not be transported in sufficient quantities. On the other hand, if you try to transport enough raw materials required by the discharge port, there is a possibility that costs will increase. For this reason, it has been difficult to create a shipping plan that strikes a balance between costs and transporting enough raw materials required by the discharge port.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a shipping plan creation device, a shipping plan creation method, and a shipping plan creation program that can create a shipping plan that minimizes the discrepancy with the raw materials required by the discharge port while keeping costs down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a shipping allocation plan creation device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a shipping allocation plan creation device that derives a shipping allocation plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and includes: an acquisition unit that acquires condition information set by a user; a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping allocation plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation; a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second index that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; and a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping allocation plan so as to reduce the value of an objective function that includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0008] A shipping plan creation device according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a shipping plan creation device that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and includes: a reception unit that receives prerequisite information related to the shipping plan; a processing unit that uses the prerequisite information to calculate some of the content related to the shipping plan; an acquisition unit that acquires condition information including the content; a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation; a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second index that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; and a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to reduce the value of an objective function that includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0009] A method for creating a shipping plan according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for creating a shipping plan that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and includes the steps of: acquiring condition information set by a user; using the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation; using the condition information to set a second index that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; and deriving the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to minimize the value of an objective function that includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0010] A method for creating a shipping plan according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for creating a shipping plan that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, the method comprising the steps of: accepting prerequisite information related to the shipping plan; calculating some of the content related to the shipping plan using the prerequisite information; acquiring condition information including the content; using the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation; using the condition information to set a second index that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; and deriving the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to minimize the value of an objective function that includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0011] A shipping plan creation program according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a shipping plan creation program that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and causes a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires condition information set by a user, a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation, a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second index that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port, and a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to minimize the value of an objective function that includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0012] A shipping plan creation program according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a shipping plan creation program that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and causes a computer to function as a reception unit that receives prerequisite information related to the shipping plan, a processing unit that uses the prerequisite information to calculate some of the content related to the shipping plan, an acquisition unit that acquires condition information including the content, a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation, a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second index that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port, and a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to reduce the value of an objective function that includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0013] The present disclosure may be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that implements part or all of a program, as an information processing device, or as a system including an information processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The shipping plan creation device, shipping plan creation method, and shipping plan creation program of the present invention can create shipping plans that minimize the discrepancy with the raw materials required by the discharge port while keeping costs down. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a shipping plan creation system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of various functions of the server device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the entire process of vessel allocation planning. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of condition information. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a direct transportation route and an indirect transportation route. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of constraint conditions. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the concept of obj1. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the concept of obj2. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the concept of obj3. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the concept of obj4. [Figure 12] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the calculation results corresponding to FIG. 5. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a shipping plan creation process. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of various functions of a server device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of prerequisite information. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information set by a processing unit. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a shipping plan creation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] First, some aspects of the disclosure will be described.

[0017] A shipping plan creation device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a shipping plan creation device that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and includes: an acquisition unit that acquires condition information set by a user; a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation; a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second index that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; and a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to reduce the value of an objective function that includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0018] In the shipping plan creation device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the first aspect, the calculation unit derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan when predetermined constraints are satisfied and the value of the objective function is minimized.

[0019] In a shipping plan creation device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the first or second aspect, the objective function includes a weighted linear sum obtained by adding a term obtained by multiplying the first index by a first coefficient and a term obtained by multiplying the second index by a second coefficient.

[0020] In a shipping plan creation device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the first or second aspect, the first index is an index indicating the number of port calls of the ship at the plurality of loading ports.

[0021] In the shipping plan creation device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the first or second aspect, the second indicator is an indicator that indicates the value obtained by calculating the difference between the raw materials scheduled to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port for each type of raw material and summing up the differences.

[0022] In the shipping plan creation device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the first or second aspect, multiple types of raw materials are transported, and each of the raw materials is divided into multiple groups, and the second index is an index that indicates the value obtained by calculating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port for each group and adding up the differences.

[0023] In the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the shipping plan creation device according to the first or second aspect, multiple types of raw materials are transported, the raw materials have a set density for each type, and the second index is an index indicating the difference between the weighted average of the densities of each of the raw materials scheduled to be transported to the discharge port and the weighted average of the densities of each of the raw materials required at the discharge port.

[0024] In the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the shipping plan creation device according to the first or second aspect, the condition information includes the date on which the ship will call at the discharge port and the total amount of the raw materials that the ship will supply to the discharge port.

[0025] A shipping plan creation device according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is related to the first or second aspect, wherein the objective function is such that the second index is multiplied by a coefficient less than 1.

[0026] In a shipping plan creation device according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the ninth aspect, the calculation unit derives the first parameter and the second parameter so as to satisfy the constraint condition regarding the second index and reduce the value of the objective function.

[0027] In the shipping plan creation device according to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the tenth aspect, the constraint condition regarding the second index is a lower limit value regarding the degree of match between the raw materials scheduled to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port.

[0028] A shipping allocation plan creation device according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is a shipping allocation plan creation device that derives a shipping allocation plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and includes: a reception unit that receives prerequisite information related to the shipping allocation plan; a processing unit that uses the prerequisite information to calculate some of the content related to the shipping allocation plan; an acquisition unit that acquires condition information including the content; a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping allocation plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation; a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second index that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; and a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so that the value of an objective function that includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index is small.

[0029] In the shipping plan creation device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the twelfth aspect, the processing unit uses the prerequisite information to calculate the order in which the ship will call at the multiple discharge ports and the total amount of raw materials that the ship will supply to each of the multiple discharge ports as the content.

[0030] In the ship allocation plan creation device according to the 14th aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the 13th aspect, the port call order is information that corresponds the ship, the multiple discharge ports at which the ship will call, and the date of call at each discharge port.

[0031] A fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure relates to the shipping plan creation device of the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, and the total amount indicates the total amount of the raw materials that the ship supplies to one discharge port.

[0032] In the shipping plan creation device according to the 16th aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the 13th or 14th aspect, the prerequisite information includes at least one of information indicating the relative positions of the multiple discharging ports, information indicating the remaining amount of raw material in the raw material tanks at each of the discharging ports, and information indicating the consumption amount of the raw materials at each of the discharging ports.

[0033] In the shipping plan creation device according to the 17th aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the 13th or 14th aspect, the calculation unit uses the objective function to derive the order in which the ship will call at the multiple loading ports and the amount of each type of raw material that the ship will supply to each of the multiple discharging ports.

[0034] In the shipping plan creation device according to the 18th aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the 12th aspect, the prerequisite information includes first prerequisite information and second prerequisite information different from the first prerequisite information, the processing unit calculates the content using the first prerequisite information and the second prerequisite information, and the calculation unit derives the first parameter and the second parameter using the content and the first prerequisite information.

[0035] In a shipping plan creation device according to a 19th aspect of the present disclosure, which is related to the 18th aspect, the first prerequisite information includes at least one of information regarding ocean-going vessels, information regarding domestic vessels, information regarding the plurality of discharging ports, information regarding the type of raw material, information regarding the amount of raw material purchased within a specified period, and information regarding the draft value of each of the discharging ports, and the second prerequisite information includes at least one of information regarding the positional relationship of the plurality of discharging ports, information regarding the remaining amount of raw material in the raw material tanks of each of the discharging ports, and information regarding the amount of raw material consumed at each of the discharging ports.

[0036] A shipping plan creation device according to a 20th aspect of the present disclosure is related to the 12th aspect, and the prerequisite information includes first prerequisite information, second prerequisite information different from the first prerequisite information, and third prerequisite information different from the first prerequisite information and the second prerequisite information, the processing unit calculates the content using the first prerequisite information and the second prerequisite information, and the calculation unit derives the first parameter and the second parameter using the content, the first prerequisite information, and the third prerequisite information.

[0037] A shipping plan creation device according to a 21st aspect of the present disclosure is related to the 20th aspect, and the first prerequisite information includes at least one of information on ocean-going ships, information on coastal ships, information on the multiple discharging ports, information on the types of raw materials, information on the amount of raw materials to be purchased within a specified period, and information on the draft value of each of the discharging ports; the second prerequisite information includes at least one of information on the positional relationship of the multiple discharging ports, information on the remaining amount of raw materials in the raw material tanks at each of the discharging ports, and information on the amount of raw materials consumed at each of the discharging ports; and the third prerequisite information includes at least one of information on the positional relationship of the multiple loading ports, information on the combinations of raw materials that can be loaded at each of the loading ports, information on the lower limit of the raw material matching rate, information on the weight of the objective function, information on the maximum allowable value of density error, information on the number of types of raw materials that can be loaded onto one of the ships, and information on the lower limit of the operation amount for unloading and loading the raw materials.

[0038] A shipping plan creation method according to a 22nd aspect of the present disclosure is a shipping plan creation method for deriving a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and includes the steps of: acquiring condition information set by a user; using the condition information to set a first index which includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation; using the condition information to set a second index which is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; and deriving the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to minimize the value of an objective function which includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0039] A shipping plan creation method according to a 23rd aspect of the present disclosure is a shipping plan creation method for deriving a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, comprising the steps of: receiving prerequisite information related to the shipping plan; calculating some of the content related to the shipping plan using the prerequisite information; acquiring condition information including the content; using the condition information to set a first index which includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation; using the condition information to set a second index which is a second parameter which is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; and deriving the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to minimize the value of an objective function which includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0040] A shipping plan creation program according to a 24th aspect of the present disclosure is a shipping plan creation program that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and causes a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires condition information set by a user, a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation, a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second index that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port, and a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to minimize the value of an objective function that includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0041] A shipping plan creation program according to a 25th aspect of the present disclosure is a shipping plan creation program that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and causes a computer to function as a reception unit that receives prerequisite information related to the shipping plan, a processing unit that uses the prerequisite information to calculate some of the content related to the shipping plan, an acquisition unit that acquires condition information including the content, a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation, a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second index that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port, and a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to minimize the value of an objective function that includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index.

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components and steps in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0043] ---First embodiment--- First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0044] <Overall structure> FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a shipping allocation plan creation system 1 according to a first embodiment. The shipping allocation plan creation system 1 is a system that creates a shipping allocation plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port. A loading port is a location (port) where raw materials are loaded onto a ship. For example, the types of raw materials available vary depending on the loading port. A discharging port is a location (port) where raw materials loaded onto a ship and transported are unloaded. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which multiple loading ports and multiple discharging ports are set. Note that a relay point may be set between the loading port and the discharging port. A relay point is a type of discharging port (or loading port) and is a base where raw materials can be temporarily stored or shipped. There may be one or more relay points. In addition, in this embodiment, a case will be described in which raw materials are transported by multiple ships as an example. The ships include, for example, ocean-going ships and coastal ships.

[0045] Various parameters for creating a shipping plan are referred to as "parameters related to the shipping plan." Parameters related to the shipping plan are various items related to the contents of the shipping plan, and are set in advance, for example, as parameters related to the route and schedule for transporting raw materials by ship from the loading port to the discharging port. For example, parameters related to the shipping plan are set in advance as parameters indicating the amount and date of loading of a specific type of raw material on a ship at the loading port. Note that the parameters related to the shipping plan are not limited to those mentioned above.

[0046] The above-mentioned parameters relating to the shipping plan are determined in the shipping plan creation system 1, which will be described later, to create the shipping plan.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 1, the shipping plan creation system 1 includes a server device 2 and a user terminal 3. The server device 2 and the user terminal 3 are capable of communicating with each other via a network NT.

[0048] The server device 2 is a shipping allocation plan creation device, and is an information processing device (computer) that creates a shipping allocation plan using information input by the user terminal 3. The server device 2 may be a cloud-based or on-premise type. In this embodiment, the case where the server device 2 is a shipping allocation plan creation device will be described as an example, but the shipping allocation plan creation device is not limited to the server device 2.

[0049] The user terminal 3 is a terminal device and an information processing device (computer) used by a user. The user terminal 3 is, for example, a personal computer. The user can input various information through the user terminal 3 and instruct the server device 2 to create a shipping plan.

[0050] <Hardware configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server device 2. As shown in FIG.

[0051] 2, the server device 2 includes a control device 10, a communication device 11, and a storage device 12. The control device 10 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13 and a memory 14.

[0052] In the control device 10, the CPU 13 executes predetermined programs stored in the memory 14 or the storage device 12, etc., thereby functioning as various functional components described below. The memory 14 is a computer-readable storage medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable program read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable program read-only memory (EEPROM), etc. The memory 14 can store various data, and stores programs and the like required for executing processes in the server device 2.

[0053] The communication device 11 is configured with a communication interface for communicating with an external device, etc. The communication device 11 is capable of communicating with a user terminal 3, for example.

[0054] The storage device 12 is a computer-readable instruction recording medium, and is configured, for example, with a hard disk or a solid state drive. The storage device 12 stores various programs and information required for executing processes in the control device 10, as well as information on the processing results. Note that other examples of non-transitory computer-readable instruction recording media include portable recording media such as magnetic tape, flexible disks, optical disks, digital versatile disks, Blu-ray disks, magneto-optical disks, memory cards, and USB memory.

[0055] The server device 2 may be configured with a single information processing device or multiple information processing devices. FIG. 2 shows only a portion of the main hardware configuration of the server device 2, and the server device 2 may include other configurations. For example, the server device 2 may further include an input device (not shown) and a display device (not shown). The input device is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that accepts input from the outside. The input device accepts user operations and inputs the operations to the server device 2. The display device is a display device (e.g., a display, etc.) that outputs data to the outside. The display device outputs characters and images. The server device 2 may have an input device and an output device integrated together (e.g., a touch panel). Similarly to the server device 2, the user terminal 3 includes a control device (CPU and memory), a communication device, a storage device, an operation device, and a display device.

[0056] <Functional configuration> Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of various functions in the server device 2. The shipping plan creation process is executed by the functions of each block. A computer program implementing the functions of at least some of the function blocks shown in Figure 3 may be installed in the storage of one or more computers. The CPU of one or more computers may load the installed computer program into a main memory and execute it to fulfill the functions of the multiple function blocks shown in Figure 3.

[0057] Furthermore, the functions of each functional block shown in Fig. 3 may be executed by one computer or may be distributed and executed by multiple computers. When the functions of each functional block shown in Fig. 3 are distributed and executed by multiple computers, the multiple computers may transmit and receive data via a communication network including a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the server device 2 has, as its functional configuration, an acquisition unit 21, a setting unit 22, a calculation unit 23, and an output unit 24 as main components.

[0059] In the following description, the function to be calculated by the calculation unit 23 is referred to as the "objective function F." The unknowns in the objective function F are referred to as "variables." In other words, the variables are objects to be derived using the objective function F. The conditions that limit the variables are referred to as "constraints."

[0060] The acquisition unit 21 acquires information set by the user. Vessel routing plans are created by combining various parameters, such as ports and ships to be considered, types of raw materials, and shipping routes, making planning complex. In other words, creating a vessel routing plan tends to become a large-scale problem. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the overall process P0 for creating a vessel routing plan is divided into a first half plan P1 and a second half plan P2.

[0061] The first half plan P1 is a process in which the user determines the outline of the vessel routing plan. That is, in the first half plan P1, the user sets various information as prerequisites related to the vessel routing plan. Note that the various information on the prerequisites related to the vessel routing plan may be thought up and set by the user, or the user may set information determined (calculated) by another device, etc. That is, the various information on the prerequisites related to the vessel routing plan is not limited to being thought up and set by the user. The prerequisites related to the vessel routing plan set by the user in the first half plan P1, etc., are referred to as "condition information." The second half plan P2 is a process in which a vessel routing plan is derived by performing calculations using the condition information set in the first half plan P1. That is, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the condition information related to the vessel routing plan set by the user in the first half plan P1. Then, as the second half plan P2, the server device 2 performs calculations using the information acquired by the acquisition unit 21.

[0062] For example, after the user reviews and sets the condition information for the shipping plan, the user inputs the condition information using the user terminal 3. As a result, the acquisition unit 21 of the server device 2 acquires the condition information.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of condition information. FIG. 5 shows some of the parameters related to the ship allocation plan. For example, the various items in range 33 in FIG. 5 are parameters related to the ship allocation plan. FIG. 5 shows the following parameters related to the ship allocation plan: ship (ship type), port call order, discharge port, port call date, discharge volume, and procured raw materials. The ships are ships used in the ship allocation plan. In FIG. 5, ships F1 to Fn are shown as the ships. Note that n is an integer and is set based on the number of available ships. The port call order is the order of calls to the discharge ports set in association with the ships. The discharge ports are ports to which the ships deliver the raw materials, and in FIG. 5, discharge ports A1 to Am are shown. Note that m is an integer and is set based on the number of discharge ports. The port call date is the date on which the ship calls at the discharge port. The discharge volume is the total amount of raw materials delivered to the discharge port. The total amount is the sum of the discharge volumes of each raw material. The procured raw materials are the quantities of each of the multiple types of raw materials delivered from the ship to the discharge port. Figure 5 shows the procured raw materials as raw materials G1 to Gk. Note that k is an integer and is set according to the number of types of raw materials.

[0064] The user sets, for example, the information in range 31 shown in Figure 5 as condition information. That is, the user sets, for example, the ships to be used in the vessel allocation plan, the order of port calls, the discharge port, the port call date, and the discharge volume as information in range 31. The information in range 31 (condition information) is an example of a prerequisite for the vessel allocation plan in the first half plan P1, etc. Note that information in range 32 in Figure 5 is not set.

[0065] As the condition information, it is preferable that the conditions at the discharging port side (at least one of the information in the range 31) be set, as shown in Figure 5. Specifically, it is preferable that the condition information include the date on which the ship will call at the discharging port (port call date in Figure 5) and the total amount of raw materials that the ship will supply to the discharging port (discharge amount in Figure 5). Setting the conditions at the discharging port side as the condition information makes it possible to make the calculation process described below more efficient.

[0066] The condition information also includes information that restricts each parameter related to the shipping schedule. That is, when the user specifies a limit, such as an upper limit, for each parameter, the user sets it as condition information.

[0067] 3, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the condition information set by the user as the first half plan P1 in the shipping plan in this manner. The condition information acquired by the acquisition unit 21 is output to the setting unit 22.

[0068] The setting unit 22 is a functional unit that sets an objective function F based on condition information. To this end, the setting unit 22 includes a variable setting unit 25, a constraint setting unit 26, and an objective function setting unit 27. The objective function setting unit 27 includes a first setting unit 28 and a second setting unit 29.

[0069] The variable setting unit 25 sets the variables of the objective function F. Specifically, the variable setting unit 25 sets the information obtained from the condition information for each parameter related to the shipping plan, and sets the variables in the objective function F.

[0070] Specifically, the variable setting unit 25 sets the parameters related to the shipping plan, for which information is obtained from the condition information, as "set parameters."The variable setting unit 25 then associates the set parameters with values ​​obtained from the condition information.In this way, the values ​​of the set parameters, which are part of the parameters related to the shipping plan, are determined.

[0071] Then, the variable setting unit 25 sets, among the parameters related to the shipping plan, parameters corresponding to information that cannot be obtained from the condition information as “unset parameters.” Unset parameters are parameters whose values ​​are unknown.

[0072] The variable setting unit 25 sets the unset parameters as variables of an objective function F, which will be described later.

[0073] 5, the variable setting unit 25 sets the condition information acquired by the acquisition unit 21 as set parameters in a range 31. In contrast, the various parameters shown in a range 32 are parameters for which information was not obtained in the condition information. Therefore, the variable setting unit 25 sets each parameter in the range 32 as an unset parameter.

[0074] It is preferable that the parameters related to the shipping plan include a parameter indicating whether or not a relay point will be passed through. In this embodiment, the parameter indicating whether or not a relay point will be passed through is referred to as a "relay parameter." The relay parameter is set, for example, for each ship. It is also possible to associate relay parameters with all or some of the ships when multiple ships are used in the shipping plan. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing loading ports, relay points, and discharging ports. FIG. 6 shows loading port T1, discharging port A3, and relay point M1, and also shows ships F1 and F5. In this embodiment, a route for transporting raw materials directly from loading port T1 to discharging port A3 is referred to as a "direct transport route L1." In the direct transport route L1, for example, ship F1 transports raw materials directly from loading port T1 to discharging port A3. A route for transporting raw materials from loading port T1 to discharging port A3 via relay point M1 is referred to as an "indirect transport route L2." In the indirect transportation route L2, for example, a ship F1 transports raw materials from a loading port T1 to a relay point M1, and a ship F5 transports the raw materials from the relay point M1 to a discharging port A3. The relay parameter can indicate which route, the direct transportation route L1 or the indirect transportation route L2, to use. If the relay parameter is specified by the condition information set by the user, it becomes a set parameter, and if the relay parameter is not specified by the condition information set by the user, it becomes an unset parameter.

[0075] Furthermore, it is preferable that the parameters related to the vessel allocation plan include parameters related to the transportation of raw materials from the relay point to the discharging point. In this embodiment, the parameters related to the transportation of raw materials from the relay point to the discharging point are referred to as "transportation parameters between relay and discharging point." The transportation parameters between relay and discharging point include, for example, parameters indicating the transportation of raw materials from the relay point to the discharging point by coastal vessel, parameters indicating the total amount of raw materials to be transported from the relay point to the discharging point, and parameters indicating the amount of each type of raw material to be transported from the relay point to the discharging point. The transportation parameters between relay and discharging point are set parameters if specified by the condition information set by the user, and are unset parameters if not specified by the condition information set by the user. Here, FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which raw materials are transported from relay point M1 to discharging point A3 by ship F5. In this case, the relay-discharge port transportation parameters include, for example, at least one of a parameter indicating that ship F5 transports raw materials from relay point M1 to discharge port A3, a parameter indicating the total amount of raw materials that ship F5 transports from relay point M1 to discharge port A3, and a parameter indicating the amount of each type of raw material that ship F5 transports from relay point M1 to discharge port A3.

[0076] In this way, each parameter related to the shipping schedule is set as a set parameter or an unset parameter. Then, the unset parameter is set as a variable of the objective function F.

[0077] The constraint setting unit 26 sets constraint conditions. The constraint conditions are conditions used when finding a solution for the variables set by the variable setting unit 25 using an objective function F, which will be described later. In other words, the solution for the variables is a solution that satisfies the constraint conditions. The constraint setting unit 26 sets the constraint conditions based on condition information set by the user.

[0078] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of constraints. FIG. 7 lists constraints S1 to S18. Constraint S1 is a constraint on the total amount loaded onto an ocean-going vessel. Constraint S2 is a constraint on the draft of the discharge port. Constraint S3 is a constraint on the lower limit of the amount of raw material loaded at the loading port. Constraint S4 is a constraint on the lower limit of the amount of raw material unloaded at the discharge port. Constraint S5 is a constraint on the lower limit of the amount of raw material loaded. Constraint S6 is a constraint on the upper limit of the number of types of raw material that can be loaded onto a single ocean-going vessel. Constraint S7 is a constraint on the upper and lower limits of the difference between the amount unloaded at each discharge port and the required amount. Constraint S8 is a constraint related to the equalization of the amount unloaded. Constraint S9 is a constraint on the total amount loaded onto a coastal vessel. Constraint S10 is a constraint on the upper limit of the amount of raw material brought into each discharge port. Constraint S11 is a constraint on the upper limit of the amount of raw material group brought into each discharge port. Constraint S12 is a constraint on the initial value of raw material group tank inventory at the relay point. Constraint S13 is a constraint on the upper and lower limits of raw material group tank inventory at the relay point. Constraint S14 is a constraint on the lower limit of the monthly raw material matching rate. Constraint S15 is a constraint on the lower limit of the monthly raw material group matching rate. Constraint S16 is a constraint on the upper limit of the number of loading port calls for each ocean-going vessel. Constraint S17 is a constraint on the lower limit of the amount of raw material group loading onto a domestic vessel.

[0079] Note that the constraints in FIG. 7 are merely examples, and constraints other than those in FIG. 7 may also be set.

[0080] Returning to FIG. 3, in this manner, the constraint conditions for the objective function F, which will be described later, are set.

[0081] The objective function setting unit 27 sets an objective function F. In this embodiment, the objective function F is a function to be minimized in an optimization problem related to the creation of a shipping schedule. The objective function F is set in advance as a function including each parameter related to the shipping schedule.

[0082] In this embodiment, the objective function F is expressed by the following formula (1).

[0083]

number

[0084] In equation (1), the term w1·obj1 is a term related to the cost of transporting raw materials. In contrast, the term w2·obj2+w3·obj3+w4·obj4 is a term related to the difference between the raw materials scheduled to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port. In this embodiment, the term w1·obj1 is the "cost-related term," and the term w2·obj2+w3·obj3+w4·obj4 is the "raw material difference-related term." The objective function F is set to include the sum of the cost-related term and the raw material difference-related term.

[0085] The first setting unit 28 sets an index indicating the cost of transportation in the above objective function F. Specifically, the first setting unit 28 sets obj1 in equation (1). In the present embodiment, obj1 is the "first index."

[0086] obj1 is an index showing the cost of transportation, and more specifically, an index showing the number of port calls of a ship at each of multiple loading ports. In other words, the number of port calls at each loading port is calculated for each ship, and the total value of each port call becomes obj1. The total value is, for example, the total value for a month (within a specified period). As the cost of transportation increases as the number of port calls increases, obj1 uses the number of port calls as an index showing the cost of transportation. If the number of port calls is small (cost is low), obj1 will have a small value.

[0087] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of how obj1 is calculated. FIG. 8 shows an example in which ships F1 and F2 call at each loading port. In FIG. 8, the loading ports are shown as loading ports T1 to T8. Specifically, ship F1 calls at loading port T2, then at loading port T5, and then at loading port T7. Ship F2 calls at loading port T1, then at loading port T8. In this case, the number of port calls by ship F1 at the loading port is 3, and the number of port calls by ship F2 at the loading port is 2. In other words, obj1 is 5, which is the sum of the number of port calls by ship F1 and the number of port calls by ship F2. Note that the example in FIG. 8 shows the status of port calls by each ship over a month.

[0088] The first setting unit 28 inputs a value corresponding to a parameter that has been set by the variable setting unit 25 into a function of obj1 that has been set in advance. The first setting unit 28 sets the parameter that has been set by the variable setting unit 25 as a fixed value. The first setting unit 28 does not input a value corresponding to a parameter that has been set as an unset parameter by the variable setting unit 25. The first setting unit 28 sets the parameter that has been set as an unset parameter by the variable setting unit 25 as a variable. In this way, the first setting unit 28 sets obj1 that corresponds to the condition information set by the user.

[0089] In this way, obj1 is a function that includes unset parameters as variables. As long as obj1 includes unset parameters as variables and can obtain indexes (values) corresponding to the states of the unset parameters, the specific function is not limited.

[0090] In equation (1), w1 is a first coefficient, which is a coefficient (constant) by which obj1 is multiplied.

[0091] In this way, the first setting unit 28 sets obj1, whereby the cost-related terms are set.

[0092] The second setting unit 29 sets an index indicating the difference (for example, absolute value) between the raw materials scheduled to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port in the above-mentioned objective function F. Specifically, the second setting unit 29 sets obj2, obj3, and obj4 in formula (1). That is, obj2, obj3, and obj4 are each an index indicating the degree of deviation between the planned and ideal amounts of raw materials related to transportation. In this embodiment, obj2, obj3, and obj4 are each a "second index."

[0093] Furthermore, obj2 is an index that indicates the total value of the difference between the amount of raw material scheduled to be transported to the discharging port and the amount of raw material required at the discharging port, calculated for each type of raw material. The total value is, for example, the total value for a month (within a specified period). In other words, obj2 is calculated by calculating the difference between the amount of raw material scheduled to be transported to the discharging port and the amount of raw material required at the discharging port for each type of raw material, and the sum of the calculated differences becomes obj2. Note that obj2 is an index that affects the raw material deviation rate. The larger the difference between the plan and the ideal (the greater the degree of deviation), the larger the value of obj2. Note that the deviation rate and the match rate are mutually exclusive, so obj2 can also be said to be an index that affects the raw material match rate.

[0094] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of how obj2 is calculated. FIG. 9 shows multiple types of raw materials: raw materials G1, G2, G3, G4, and G5. For each raw material, FIG. 9 also shows the amount of raw material scheduled to be transported to the discharging port (planned amount) and the amount of raw material required at the discharging port (requested amount). The example in FIG. 9 shows the monthly status of each raw material. For example, in the example in FIG. 9, the difference (absolute value) between the planned amount and the requested amount for raw material G1 is 7. Similarly, the difference for raw material G2 is 5, the difference for raw material G3 is 10, the difference for raw material G4 is 5, and the difference for raw material G5 is 3. In this case, obj2 is 30, which is the sum of the differences. Each planned amount may be equal to, less than, or greater than the requested amount.

[0095] The second setting unit 29 inputs values ​​corresponding to parameters that have been set by the variable setting unit 25 for the pre-set function of obj2. The second setting unit 29 sets the parameters that have been set by the variable setting unit 25 as fixed values. The second setting unit 29 does not input values ​​corresponding to parameters that have been set by the variable setting unit 25 as unset parameters. The second setting unit 29 sets the parameters that have been set by the variable setting unit 25 as variables. In this way, the second setting unit 29 sets obj2 corresponding to the condition information set by the user.

[0096] In this way, obj2 is a function that includes unset parameters as variables. As long as obj2 includes unset parameters as variables and can obtain indexes (values) corresponding to the states of the unset parameters, the specific function is not limited.

[0097] In equation (1), w2 is a second coefficient, which is a coefficient (constant) by which obj2 is multiplied.

[0098] Furthermore, obj3 is an index that indicates the total value of the difference between the amount of raw materials scheduled to be transported to the discharging port and the amount of raw materials required at the discharging port, calculated for each group. The total value is, for example, the total value for a month (within a specified period). A group is a group of raw materials (types) with similar properties. In other words, the difference between the total amount of multiple raw materials in the same group scheduled to be transported to the discharging port and the total amount of multiple raw materials in the same group required at the discharging port is calculated for each group, and these differences are summed to calculate obj3. Note that obj3 is an index that affects the raw material group deviation rate. The larger the difference between the plan and the ideal (the greater the degree of deviation), the larger the value of obj3. Note that the deviation rate and the match rate are mutually exclusive, so obj3 can also be said to be an index that affects the raw material group match rate.

[0099] FIG. 10 shows an example of how obj3 is calculated. In FIG. 10, group Gr1 includes ingredients G1 and G3, and group Gr2 includes ingredients G2, G4, and G5. FIG. 10 also shows the planned and requested quantities for each ingredient. The example in FIG. 10 illustrates the monthly status of each ingredient. For example, in the example in FIG. 10, the sum of the planned quantity of ingredient G1 and the planned quantity of ingredient G3 in group Gr1 is 803. The sum of the requested quantity of ingredient G1 and the requested quantity of ingredient G3 in group Gr1 is 800. In other words, the difference (absolute value) in group Gr1 is 3. Furthermore, in group Gr2, the sum of the planned quantity of ingredient G2, the planned quantity of ingredient G4, and the planned quantity of ingredient G5 is 787. The sum of the requested quantity of ingredient G2, the requested quantity of ingredient G4, and the requested quantity of ingredient G5 in group Gr2 is 800. That is, the difference in group Gr2 is 13. In this case, obj3 is 16, which is the sum of the differences.

[0100] The second setting unit 29 inputs a value corresponding to a parameter that has been set by the variable setting unit 25 for a function of obj3 that has been set in advance. The second setting unit 29 sets the parameter that has been set by the variable setting unit 25 as a fixed value. The second setting unit 29 does not input a value corresponding to a parameter that has been set as an unset parameter by the variable setting unit 25. The second setting unit 29 sets the parameter that has been set as an unset parameter by the variable setting unit 25 as a variable. In this way, the second setting unit 29 sets obj3 that corresponds to the condition information set by the user.

[0101] In this way, obj3 is a function that includes unset parameters as variables. As long as obj3 includes unset parameters as variables and can obtain indexes (values) corresponding to the states of the unset parameters, the specific function is not limited.

[0102] In equation (1), w3 is a second coefficient, which is a coefficient (constant) by which obj3 is multiplied.

[0103] Furthermore, obj4 is an index showing the difference between the weighted average density of each raw material scheduled to be transported to the discharging port and the weighted average density of each raw material required at the discharging port. This difference is calculated, for example, as a total value for a month (within a specified period). Note that a density is set for each type of raw material. A weighted average is calculated for the density of each raw material, with the amount of each raw material used as a weight. That is, a weighted average is calculated based on the amount and density of each raw material scheduled to be transported to the discharging port, and a weighted average is also calculated based on the amount and density of each raw material required at the discharging port, and the difference between the calculated weighted averages is obj4. If the difference between the scheduled weighted average and the ideal weighted average is large (the degree of deviation is large), obj4 will have a large value.

[0104] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of how obj4 is calculated. FIG. 11 shows raw materials G1, G2, G3, G4, and G5 as multiple types of raw materials. For each raw material, FIG. 11 also shows the density, planned amount of the raw material, and requested amount of the raw material. The example in FIG. 11 shows the monthly status of each raw material. If the planned amount is used as the weight, the weighted average of the density is approximately 33.66. If the requested amount is used as the weight, the weighted average of the density is approximately 33.69. Therefore, obj4 is calculated as 0.03, which is the difference between the weighted averages of the densities. Each planned amount may be equal to, less than, or greater than the requested amount.

[0105] The second setting unit 29 inputs values ​​corresponding to parameters that have been set by the variable setting unit 25 for the pre-set function of obj4. The second setting unit 29 sets the parameters that have been set by the variable setting unit 25 as fixed values. The second setting unit 29 does not input values ​​corresponding to parameters that have been set by the variable setting unit 25 as unset parameters. The second setting unit 29 sets the parameters that have been set by the variable setting unit 25 as variables. In this way, the second setting unit 29 sets obj4 corresponding to the condition information set by the user.

[0106] In this way, obj4 is a function that includes unset parameters as variables. As long as obj4 includes unset parameters as variables and can obtain indexes (values) corresponding to the states of the unset parameters, the specific function is not limited.

[0107] In equation (1), w4 is a second coefficient, which is a coefficient (constant) by which obj4 is multiplied.

[0108] In this way, in the second setting unit 29, obj2, obj3, and obj4 are set as second indices, and raw material difference related terms are set.

[0109] As described above, by setting the respective indexes of obj1, obj2, obj3, and obj4 in accordance with the condition information, an objective function F corresponding to the condition information is set. Note that, although an example has been given in which three raw material difference-related terms, obj2, obj3, and obj4, are used respectively, at least one of them may be used. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a case has been described in which the respective indexes of obj1, obj2, obj3, and obj4 are used as shown in equation (1), but other indexes may also be included in the objective function F. For example, obj5, obj6, etc. may be set as other indexes and included in the objective function F.

[0110] As shown in equation (1), obj1, obj2, obj3, and obj4 are each multiplied by the respective coefficients w1, w2, w3, and w4 to form a cost-related term and a raw material difference-related term, which are then added together. That is, each index is included in the objective function F as a weighted linear sum. Note that w1, w2, w3, and w4 are each set so as to balance the respective indexes of obj1, obj2, obj3, and obj4. Note that the values ​​of the coefficients are not limited.

[0111] In this embodiment, each of the indexes obj1, obj2, obj3, and obj4 is defined as a function that includes unset parameters as variables, and therefore the objective function F is a function that includes unset parameters as variables. If an unset parameter included in the cost-related term is defined as a first parameter and an unset parameter included in the raw material difference-related term is defined as a second parameter, the first parameter and the second parameter may be the same or different. Furthermore, in the raw material difference-related term, the unset parameters included in obj2, obj3, and obj4 may be the same or different.

[0112] In this way, the objective function F is set. In other words, the objective function F represents the objective of the vessel allocation plan.

[0113] Returning to FIG. 3, the calculation unit 23 derives a combination of each parameter related to the shipping plan so as to reduce the value of the objective function F. In other words, the calculation unit 23 derives values ​​(solutions) of unset parameters included as variables in the objective function F so as to reduce the value of the objective function F. Specifically, the calculation unit 23 derives a solution in which the value of the objective function F is minimum among solutions of variables (unset parameters) that satisfy the constraint conditions set by the constraint setting unit 26. In this way, the calculation unit 23 uses the objective function F to search for and derive an optimal solution.

[0114] In this way, the calculation unit 23 derives an optimal solution for unset parameters by applying a mathematical optimization method or a metaheuristic method with the objective function F as the minimization target.

[0115] A search is performed to find a solution that minimizes the objective function F shown in equation (1), thereby minimizing the cost-related terms and the raw material difference-related terms. Therefore, a solution for the unset parameters is derived that minimizes the cost of transporting raw materials and minimizes the difference between the planned and ideal raw material transport.

[0116] As described above, the objective function F is used to derive the optimal solution for the unset parameters that are variables. By setting the unset parameters, the values ​​of each parameter related to the vessel routing plan are determined, and the vessel routing plan is created.

[0117] Returning to Fig. 3, the output unit 24 outputs the calculation results obtained by the calculation unit 23. For example, the output unit 24 outputs the optimal solution for the unset parameters as the calculation results to the user terminal 3. In this way, the derived shipping plan is provided to the user.

[0118] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the result of deriving a shipping allocation plan corresponding to Fig. 5. Each parameter in the range 32 that was not set in Fig. 5 is derived by the objective function F, and a value is set.

[0119] The server device 2 executes various processes as described above to derive an optimal solution for the vessel routing plan. In this way, an optimal vessel routing plan is created by executing various functions.

[0120] <Processing flow> Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the shipping plan creation process according to this embodiment. Each of the following steps is started when, for example, a user sets condition information related to the shipping plan as the first half plan P1 and issues an instruction to start the shipping plan creation process. Note that the order and content of each of the following steps can be changed as appropriate.

[0121] (Step SP10) The acquisition unit 21 acquires the condition information, and the process then proceeds to step SP11.

[0122] (Step SP11) The variable setting unit 25 sets the variables of the objective function F. Specifically, the variable setting unit 25 sets the parameters related to the shipping plan, for which information is obtained from the condition information, as set parameters, and sets the parameters corresponding to information not obtained from the condition information as unset parameters. Then, the variable setting unit 25 sets the unset parameters as variables of the objective function F. Then, the process proceeds to step SP12.

[0123] (Step SP12) The constraint setting unit 26 sets constraint conditions based on the condition information, and the process then proceeds to step SP13.

[0124] (Step SP13) The objective function setting unit 27 sets the objective function F using the set parameters and unset parameters set by the variable setting unit 25. Specifically, the first setting unit 28 sets obj1 to set cost-related terms, and the second setting unit 29 sets obj2, obj3, and obj4 to set raw material difference-related terms, thereby setting the objective function F. Then, the process proceeds to step SP14.

[0125] (Step SP14) The calculation unit 23 derives unset parameters included as variables in the objective function F so as to reduce the value of the objective function F. Then, the processing proceeds to step SP15.

[0126] (Step SP15) The output unit 24 outputs the optimal solution for the unset parameters to the user terminal 3 as the calculation result.

[0127] According to the above flow, a shipping plan is created and provided to the user.

[0128] <Action and effect> As described above, the shipping allocation plan creation device (server device 2) of this embodiment is a shipping allocation plan creation device that derives a shipping allocation plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and is equipped with: an acquisition unit 21 that acquires condition information set by a user; a first setting unit 28 that uses the condition information to set a first index (obj1) that includes a first parameter related to the shipping allocation plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation; a second setting unit 29 that uses the condition information to set second indexes (obj2, obj3, obj4) that are second parameters that are the same as or different from the first parameter and include the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and are indexes indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; and a calculation unit 23 that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to reduce the value of the objective function F that includes the sum of a term related to the first index (obj1) and a term related to the second index (obj2, obj3, obj4).

[0129] According to this configuration, the objective function F is set to include the sum of the first index (obj1), which is an index indicating the cost of transportation, and the second indexes (obj2, obj3, obj4), which are indexes indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port. Therefore, it is possible to create a shipping plan that reduces the value of the objective function F while balancing the first index (obj1) and the second index (obj2, obj3, obj4), which are in a trade-off relationship with each other. In other words, it is possible to create an efficient shipping plan that reduces the difference in the raw materials required at the discharging port while suppressing costs.

[0130] Furthermore, in the vessel allocation plan creation device, the calculation unit 23 derives first and second parameters related to the vessel allocation plan when predetermined constraints are satisfied and the value of the objective function F is minimized.

[0131] With this configuration, a shipping plan is created so that the value of the objective function F is minimized, and therefore, a shipping plan can be created so that the first index (obj1) and the second indexes (obj2, obj3, obj4) are minimized in terms of their mutual balance. In other words, it is possible to effectively suppress both costs and the difference in the raw materials required at the discharging port.

[0132] In addition, in the shipping plan creation device, the objective function F includes a weighted linear sum obtained by adding a term obtained by multiplying a first index (obj1) by a first coefficient (w1) and a term obtained by multiplying a second index (obj2, obj3, obj4) by second coefficients (w2, w3, w4).

[0133] According to this configuration, the first index (obj1) and the second index are included in the objective function F as a weighted linear sum, making it easier to adjust the balance between the first index (obj1) and the second indexes (obj2, obj3, obj4) in the objective function F.

[0134] In addition, in the shipping plan creation device, the first index (obj1) is an index that indicates the number of port calls of a ship at a plurality of loading ports.

[0135] According to this configuration, the cost of transportation can be shown by indicating the first index (obj1) as the number of port calls of the ship at the loading port. In addition, by indicating the cost as the number of port calls, the processing load can be reduced.

[0136] In addition, in the shipping plan creation device, the second indicator (obj2) is an indicator that indicates the value obtained by calculating the difference between the raw materials scheduled to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port for each type of raw material and adding up the differences.

[0137] According to this configuration, the second index (obj2) can be indicated by the difference in the amount of each type of raw material.

[0138] In addition, in the shipping plan creation device, multiple types of raw materials are transported, and each raw material is divided into multiple groups, and the second index (obj3) is an index that indicates the value obtained by calculating the difference between the raw materials scheduled to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port for each group and adding up the differences.

[0139] According to this configuration, the second index (obj3) can be indicated by the difference in the amount of each ingredient group.

[0140] In addition, in the shipping plan creation device, multiple types of raw materials are transported, and the density of each type of raw material is set, and the second index (obj4) is an index that indicates the difference between the weighted average of the density of each raw material scheduled to be transported to the discharge port and the weighted average of the density of each raw material required at the discharge port.

[0141] According to this configuration, the second index (obj4) can be indicated by the difference in the weighted average of the density of the raw materials.

[0142] In addition, in the vessel allocation plan creation device, the condition information includes the date on which the vessel will call at the discharge port and the total amount of raw materials that the vessel will supply to the discharge port.

[0143] According to this configuration, the condition information includes the date the ship will call at the discharging port and the total amount of raw materials the ship will supply to the discharging port, making it possible to efficiently calculate a ship allocation plan. In particular, by having the user set the conditions on the discharging port as condition information, the search space for the objective function F can be effectively limited. Furthermore, by using the total amount of raw materials the ship will supply to the discharging port, there is a degree of freedom in the amount of each type of raw material, making it possible to flexibly create a ship allocation plan.

[0144] --- Second embodiment --- Next, a second embodiment will be described.

[0145] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the objective function F. The differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described below. Note that the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in the points that will not be described below.

[0146] In the first embodiment, the objective function F is shown as equation (1). In the objective function F of equation (1), the cost-related term and the raw material difference-related term are added together to form the objective function F. The cost-related term and the raw material difference-related term are in a trade-off relationship, such that if one tries to lower the other, the other will increase. Because the objective function F of equation (1) includes the cost-related term and the raw material difference-related term added together, it is possible to create a shipping plan while balancing the two.

[0147] On the other hand, with regard to the difference between the amount of raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the amount of raw materials required at the discharging port, which is indicated by the raw material difference-related term, if the difference is below a certain level, it may not be necessary to bring the difference closer to 0. In other words, it may be preferable to prioritize reducing the cost-related term over the raw material difference-related term.

[0148] Therefore, in this embodiment, the objective function F is set to the following equation (2).

[0149]

number

[0150] In equation (2), C1 and C2 are coefficients (constants) for adjusting the values ​​of the obj2 term and the obj3 term, respectively. That is, C1 and C2 are multiplied by obj2 and obj3, respectively. C1 and C2 are set in advance as coefficients less than 1. In this embodiment, C1 and C2 have the same value, for example, 0.001. By multiplying by a coefficient less than 1 in this way, it is possible to reduce the influence of the obj2 term and the obj3 term on the objective function F.

[0151] In this embodiment, a constraint condition is set for the second index. This constraint condition is a lower limit for the match rate between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port. In other words, this constraint condition is a condition that restricts the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port so that they match the raw materials required at the discharging port to a certain degree. Specifically, the constraint conditions are the raw material match rate and the raw material group match rate.

[0152] For each type of raw material, the ratio of the amount of raw material scheduled to be transported to the discharge port to the amount of raw material required at the discharge port is defined as the raw material consistency rate. In other words, the raw material consistency rate is the ratio of the planned amount (actual amount) to the required amount (ideal amount) of raw material corresponding to each type. In other words, obj2 and the raw material consistency rate are interrelated. A lower limit for the raw material consistency rate is set as a constraint. A uniform lower limit for the raw material consistency rate is set for each type. For example, the lower limit for the raw material consistency rate is 70% (raw material consistency rate ≧ 70%). By setting a lower limit for the raw material consistency rate as a constraint in this way, a limit is placed on obj2. The raw material consistency rate is, for example, the consistency rate for a month (within a specified period).

[0153] Furthermore, for each group, the ratio of the total amount of each type of raw material scheduled to be transported to the discharge port to the total amount of each type of raw material required at the discharge port is defined as the raw material group match rate. In other words, the raw material group match rate is the ratio of the planned total amount (actual total amount) to the total amount required (ideal total amount) of raw materials corresponding to each group. In other words, obj3 and the raw material group match rate are interrelated. A lower limit for the raw material group match rate is set as a constraint. A uniform lower limit for the raw material group match rate is set for each group. For example, the lower limit for the raw material group match rate is 90% (raw material group match rate ≧ 90%). In this way, by setting a lower limit for the raw material group match rate as a constraint, a limit is imposed on obj3. The raw material group match rate is, for example, the match rate for a month (within a specified period).

[0154] By setting the constraints as described above, obj2 and obj3 are restricted so that the ingredient match rate is equal to or greater than the lower limit value and the ingredient group match rate is equal to or greater than the lower limit value.

[0155] By setting the lower limit values ​​of the raw material match rate and raw material group match rate in the constraint conditions, when the calculation unit 23 performs calculations for the objective function F, it searches for unset parameters so that the constraint conditions are satisfied. In other words, in the shipping plan, the raw material match rate and raw material group match rate are guaranteed to have lower limit values.

[0156] Furthermore, as shown in equation (2), by using C1 and C2, the influence of the terms obj2 and obj3 in the objective function F is suppressed. In other words, while the raw material match rate and raw material group match rate maintain their lower limits, priority is given to lowering the cost-related terms including obj1 rather than approaching 100% (rather than obj2 or obj3 approaching 0). This makes it possible to create a shipping schedule that efficiently suppresses costs while maintaining the raw material match rate and raw material group match rate at a minimum.

[0157] <Action and effect> In the vessel allocation plan creating device, the objective function F is obtained by multiplying the second indicators (obj2, obj3) by coefficients (C1, C2) that are less than 1.

[0158] According to this configuration, by multiplying the second indexes (obj2, obj3) by coefficients (C1, C2) that are less than 1, the influence of the second indexes (obj2, obj3) on the objective function F can be suppressed.

[0159] In the vessel allocation plan creation device, the calculation unit 23 derives the first parameter and the second parameter so that the constraint conditions regarding the second indexes (obj2, obj3) are satisfied and the value of the objective function F is reduced.

[0160] According to this configuration, a shipping plan is created while satisfying the constraints regarding the second indicators (obj2, obj3).

[0161] In the vessel allocation plan creation device, the constraint condition regarding the second indicators (obj2, obj3) is a lower limit regarding the rate of match between the raw materials scheduled to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port.

[0162] According to this configuration, a lower limit is set for the match rate between the raw materials scheduled to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port, and a shipping plan is created that satisfies the lower limit of the match rate. Then, by combining it with coefficients (C1, C2) that are less than 1, the lower limit of the match rate is secured, and priority is given to suppressing the first index (obj1) rather than the match rate approaching 100% (rather than the second indexes obj2 and obj3 becoming smaller). In other words, it is possible to create a shipping plan that particularly suppresses costs.

[0163] ---Third embodiment--- Next, a third embodiment will be described.

[0164] The third embodiment will be described below, focusing mainly on the differences from the first and second embodiments. Note that the third embodiment is similar to the first and second embodiments in the points that will not be described below.

[0165] In the first and second embodiments, the process for creating a shipping plan is divided into a first half plan P1 and a second half plan P2, and the user sets condition information in the first half plan P1 as an example. In this embodiment, the server device 2 determines the outline of the shipping plan in the first half plan P1, which is the process for determining the outline of the shipping plan.

[0166] In the following description, information indicating the conditions that are prerequisites for a vessel routing plan will be referred to as "prerequisite information PR." The prerequisite information PR is set, for example, by a user as a prerequisite condition for creating a vessel routing plan. Note that the prerequisite information PR is not limited to being set by a user, and may be set in part or in whole by a computing device, for example. The prerequisite information PR includes "first prerequisite information PR0" for the first-half plan P1 and the second-half plan P2, "second prerequisite information PR1" for the first-half plan P1, and "third prerequisite information PR2" for the second-half plan P2. The first prerequisite information PR0 is information indicating prerequisites common to the first-half plan P1 and the second-half plan P2. The second prerequisite information PR1 is information indicating prerequisites in the first-half plan P1. The third prerequisite information PR2 is information indicating prerequisites in the second-half plan P2.

[0167] In this embodiment, the server device 2 further includes a receiving unit 51 and a processing unit 52, as shown in FIG.

[0168] The reception unit 51 receives prerequisite information PR related to a shipping plan. For example, the reception unit 51 receives prerequisite information PR set by a user using the user terminal 3. Note that the reception unit 51 may also receive prerequisite information PR set in another device from that device.

[0169] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of prerequisite information PR, which shows examples of specific information corresponding to each of the first prerequisite information PR0, the second prerequisite information PR1, and the third prerequisite information PR2.

[0170] The first prerequisite information PR0 includes, for example, at least one of information on ocean-going vessels, information on coastal vessels, information on discharge ports, information on types of raw materials, information on the amount of raw materials purchased within a specified period (e.g., a month), and information on the draft value of each discharge port. The information on ocean-going vessels includes, for example, at least one of the number of ocean-going vessels, the names of each ocean-going vessel, the identifiers of each ocean-going vessel, and the specifications of each ocean-going vessel. The information on coastal vessels includes, for example, at least one of the number of coastal vessels, the names of each coastal vessel, the identifiers of each coastal vessel, and the specifications of each coastal vessel. The information on discharge ports includes, for example, at least one of the number of discharge ports, the names of each discharge port, and the identifiers of each discharge port. The information on types of raw materials includes, for example, at least one of the number of raw materials, the names of each raw material, the identifiers of each raw material, and the characteristics of each raw material. The amount of raw materials purchased within a specified period indicates the amount of raw materials to be transported in the shipping plan, and specifically indicates the total amount of raw materials to be loaded at the loading ports by ocean-going vessels. The draft value of each discharge port indicates the maximum draft value at the discharge port, i.e., the draft value of each discharge port is related to the maximum amount of cargo of each ship at each discharge port.

[0171] The second prerequisite information PR1 includes, for example, at least one of information regarding the positional relationship between each discharging port, information regarding the remaining amount of raw material in the raw material tanks at each discharging port, and information regarding the amount of raw material consumed at each discharging port. The positional relationship between each discharging port includes, for example, at least one of information regarding the distance between each discharging port and information regarding the travel time between each discharging port. The travel time information between each discharging port is, for example, the time required for travel by ship between the first discharging port and the second discharging port. The travel time information between each discharging port includes, for example, information such as four days for travel by ship from the first discharging port to the second discharging port and three days for travel by ship from the second discharging port to the first discharging port. Here, the reason why the time required for travel from the first discharging port to the second discharging port and the time required for travel from the second discharging port to the first discharging port differs from that due to the influence of ocean currents and the like on the ship. In other words, by using information on the travel time of ships between each discharging port, the influence of the surrounding environment of the ship, such as ocean currents, can be taken into account, allowing for more accurate ship allocation plans. The remaining amount in the raw material tanks at each discharging port is the initial value of the raw material in the raw material tank. The consumption amount of raw material at each discharging port is the consumption amount (planned consumption amount) of raw material for each specified period (e.g., per day) at each discharging port.

[0172] The third prerequisite information PR2 includes, for example, at least one of information regarding the locational relationship of each loading port, information regarding the combinations of raw materials that can be loaded at each loading port, information regarding the lower limit of the raw material match rate, information regarding the weight of the objective function F, information regarding the maximum allowable density error, information regarding the number of types of raw materials that can be loaded on one ship, and information regarding the lower limit of the operation amount for unloading and loading raw materials. The locational relationship of each loading port includes information regarding the distance between each loading port. The combinations of raw materials that can be loaded at each loading port indicate the raw materials that can be loaded at each loading port, specifically, the amount of raw materials purchased at each loading port. The lower limit of the raw material match rate indicates the lower limit of the allowable raw material match rate. The weights of the objective function F are the coefficients (w1, w2, w3, w4) used in the objective function F. The maximum allowable density error indicates the maximum allowable error in the density of each raw material. The number of types of raw materials that can be loaded on one ship is a set value for the number of types of raw materials that can be loaded on each ship (e.g., an ocean-going ship). The lower limit operation quantities related to the lifting and stacking of raw materials indicate the lower limit values ​​(allowable ranges) of each operation quantity related to the lifting and stacking of raw materials.

[0173] The information included in the first prerequisite information PR0 is not limited to the information exemplified above. The first prerequisite information PR0 may include information other than the information exemplified as the prerequisite information PR. The first prerequisite information PR0 may appropriately include the information exemplified as the second prerequisite information PR1 and the third prerequisite information PR2 to the extent that there is no contradiction. For example, the first prerequisite information PR0 may include information regarding the positional relationships of each discharge port instead of excluding it from the second prerequisite information PR1.

[0174] Note that, like the information included in the first prerequisite information PR0, the information included in the second prerequisite information PR1 and the information included in the third prerequisite information PR2 are not limited to the information exemplified above.

[0175] The prerequisite information PR may include at least one of the first prerequisite information PR0, the second prerequisite information PR1, and the third prerequisite information PR2.

[0176] The reception unit 51 receives, for example, prerequisite information PR shown in FIG. 15 from the user. The reception unit 51 then sets the received prerequisite information PR as information that serves as a premise for creating a shipping schedule. For example, when the reception unit 51 receives prerequisite information PR, the reception unit 51 sets the prerequisite information PR as information that serves as a premise for creating a shipping schedule for at least one of the first-half plan P1 and the second-half plan P2. For example, when the reception unit 51 receives second prerequisite information PR1, the reception unit 51 sets the second prerequisite information PR1 as information that serves as a premise for creating a shipping schedule for the first-half plan P1. For example, when the reception unit 51 receives first prerequisite information PR0, the reception unit 51 sets the first prerequisite information PR0 as information that serves as a premise for creating a shipping schedule for the first-half plan P1 and the second-half plan P2. For example, when the reception unit 51 receives third prerequisite information PR2, the reception unit 51 sets the third prerequisite information PR2 as information that serves as a premise for creating a shipping schedule for the second-half plan P2. In addition, when the reception unit 51 receives prerequisite information PR related to the second half plan P2 (for example, part of the first prerequisite information PR0, the third prerequisite information PR2), the reception unit 51 does not have to set the prerequisite information PR related to the second half plan P2 as information that serves as a premise for creating a shipping plan. In this case, for example, the prerequisite information PR related to the second half plan P2 received by the reception unit 51 may be acquired by the acquisition unit 21 and set by the setting unit 22 as information that serves as a premise for creating a shipping plan in the second half plan P2.

[0177] 14, the processing unit 52 calculates some of the contents related to the shipping plan using the prerequisite information PR. Specifically, the processing unit 52 performs calculation processing in accordance with the first half plan P1. That is, in the server device 2, the reception unit 51 and the processing unit 52 perform calculations related to the first half plan P1, and the acquisition unit 21, the setting unit 22, the calculation unit 23, and the output unit 24 perform calculations related to the second half plan P2.

[0178] The processing unit 52 uses the prerequisite information PR to calculate the order in which the ship will call at multiple discharge ports and the total amount of raw materials that the ship will supply to each of the multiple discharge ports. Specifically, the processing unit 52 performs the calculation process using, for example, the second prerequisite information PR1. The processing unit 52 performs the calculation process using, for example, information indicating the positional relationship between each discharge port, information indicating the remaining amount of raw material in the raw material tanks at each discharge port, and information indicating the amount of raw material consumed at each discharge port. Note that the processing unit 52 may also use other prerequisite information PR (for example, the first prerequisite information PR0).

[0179] In the following explanation, the order in which a ship calls at multiple discharge ports will be referred to as the "discharge port call order," and the total amount of raw materials that the ship supplies to each of the multiple discharge ports will be referred to as the "discharge port total supply amount."

[0180] The discharge port call sequence is information that associates a ship with multiple discharge ports that the ship will call at and the date of call at each discharge port. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of information set by the processing unit 52 (corresponding to FIG. 5). An example of the discharge port call sequence is the information shown in range R1 of FIG. 16. In this way, the discharge port call sequence is set corresponding to each ship used in the ship allocation plan. The discharge ports that each ship will call at are associated with the date of call. The port call sequence may be set by date, or may be set by number as in the "port call sequence" in FIG. 16. In the example of FIG. 16, the discharge port call sequence indicates that ship F1 will call at discharge port A1 (call date: January 1), discharge port A3 (call date: January 3), and discharge port A5 (call date: January 7) in this order.

[0181] The total discharge port supply amount indicates the total amount of raw materials that a ship supplies to one discharge port. The total discharge port supply amount may be, for example, the total amount of a single type of raw material that a ship supplies to one discharge port, or the total amount of multiple types of raw materials that a ship supplies to one discharge port. An example of the total discharge port supply amount is the information shown in range R2 in Figure 16. In this way, the total discharge port supply amount is set corresponding to each ship and each discharge port. In the example of Figure 16, the total discharge port supply amount indicates that ship F1 supplies a discharge amount of "300" raw materials to discharge port A1, a discharge amount of "500" raw materials to discharge port A3, and a discharge amount of "200" raw materials to discharge port A5.

[0182] In this way, the processing unit 52 calculates the discharging port call sequence and the discharging port supply total volume in accordance with the first half plan P1 using the prerequisite information PR. It is preferable that the processing unit 52 calculates the discharging port call sequence and the discharging port supply total volume by optimization calculation. For example, the processing unit 52 calculates the discharging port call sequence and the discharging port supply total volume using the second prerequisite information PR1 so as to reduce costs. Information that associates multiple patterns of discharging port call sequence and discharging port supply total volume with each other may be set in advance for the second prerequisite information PR1, and the processing unit 52 may perform processing using this information. It is to be noted that the specific calculation method used by the processing unit 52 is not limited.

[0183] As described above, the processing unit 52 calculates the order of port calls at the discharging port and the total amount of supply at the discharging port using the prerequisite information PR. These conditions at the discharging port are contents calculated by the processing unit 52 using the prerequisite information PR. That is, the processing unit 52 calculates some of the contents related to the vessel allocation plan using the prerequisite information PR related to the vessel allocation plan. This allows the processing unit 52 to calculate the conditions at the discharging port, which is the supply destination of raw materials in the second half plan P2, and can improve the efficiency (reduce the burden) of the calculation processing of the second half plan P2 by the calculation unit 23. Specifically, in the calculation processing of the second half plan P2 by the calculation unit 23, the number of combinations related to the calculation is reduced, and the calculation is made more efficient (faster).

[0184] After the calculation processing of the first half plan P1 is completed, in the second half plan P2, the acquisition unit 21 acquires condition information including the contents calculated by the processing unit 52. Specifically, the condition information includes the order of port calls at the discharge port and the total supply amount at the discharge port calculated by the processing unit 52. The condition information may include the prerequisite information PR (particularly the first prerequisite information PR0 and the third prerequisite information PR2) received by the reception unit 51.

[0185] Then, similar to the above embodiment, the setting unit 22 sets the objective function F using the condition information acquired by the acquisition unit 21. Specifically, the variable setting unit 25 in the setting unit 22 sets the discharging port call order and the discharging port supply total amount calculated by the processing unit 52 as set parameters. That is, in the second half plan P2, the setting unit 22 sets the discharging port call order and the discharging port supply total amount acquired as condition information by the acquisition unit 21 as fixed items for the objective function F. As a result, the discharging port call order and the discharging port supply total amount are treated as fixed values ​​rather than variables in the second half plan P2.

[0186] For example, in the objective function F in equation (1), the order of call at the discharge port is included in the cost-related term, and the total amount of supply at the discharge port is included in the raw material difference-related term. Note that the order of call at the discharge port may be included in the raw material difference-related term, or the total amount of supply at the discharge port may be included in the cost-related term.

[0187] Then, the calculation unit 23 uses the set objective function F to derive values ​​(optimal solutions) of the unset parameters included in the objective function F. Specifically, the calculation unit 23 derives, as part of the unset parameters, the order in which the ship will call at multiple loading ports and the amount of each type of raw material that the ship will supply to each of multiple discharging ports. In the following explanation, the order in which the ship will call at multiple loading ports will be referred to as the "loading port call order," and the amount of each type of raw material that the ship will supply to each of multiple discharging ports will be referred to as the "supply amount by type."

[0188] The loading port call sequence is information that associates a ship with multiple loading ports that the ship will call at and the date of call at each loading port. In this way, the loading port call sequence is derived for each ship used in the shipping plan.

[0189] The supply amount by type indicates the supply amount of each type of raw material among multiple types of raw materials supplied by a ship to one discharge port. In this way, the supply amount by type is derived corresponding to each ship and each discharge port.

[0190] In the second half plan P2, the calculation unit 23 derives the loading port call sequence and the supply volume by type corresponding to the discharging port call sequence and the discharging port total supply volume set in the first half plan P1. In the above example, the calculation unit 23 derives the loading port call sequence and the supply volume by type, but other unset parameters related to the vessel allocation plan may also be derived.

[0191] <Processing flow> FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the shipping plan creation process according to this embodiment. Each of the following steps is started, for example, when a user instructs the start of the shipping plan creation process. Note that each of the following steps may also be started when prerequisite information PR is output from another device. In the flow of FIG. 17, explanations of points that are similar to the flow of FIG. 13 will be omitted. Note that the order and content of each of the following steps can be changed as appropriate.

[0192] In the flow of Fig. 17, processing corresponding to the first-half plan P1 is executed, and then processing corresponding to the second-half plan P2 is executed. In the flow of Fig. 17, processing from step SP20 to step SP22 corresponds to the first-half plan P1, and processing from step SP10 to step SP15 corresponds to the second-half plan P2.

[0193] (Step SP20) The reception unit 51 receives the prerequisite information PR related to the shipping plan, and the process then proceeds to step SP21.

[0194] (Step SP21) The processing unit 52 calculates the discharging port call order and the discharging port total supply amount using the second prerequisite information PR1, and then the process proceeds to step SP22.

[0195] (Step SP22) The processing unit 52 outputs the discharging port call sequence and the discharging port supply total amount as the calculation results of the first half plan P1 to the second half plan P2.

[0196] After the first-half plan P1 is completed, the process moves to the second-half plan P2. That is, the processes from step SP10 to step SP15 are executed in the same manner as in the flow of FIG.

[0197] Specifically, in step SP10, the acquisition unit 21 acquires condition information including the third prerequisite information PR2, the discharging port call sequence, and the discharging port total supply volume. Then, in step SP11, the discharging port call sequence and the discharging port total supply volume are set as set parameters. Then, in step SP12, constraint conditions are set, in step SP13, an objective function F is set, and in step SP14, unset parameters are derived. In step SP14, the loading port call sequence and the supply volume by type are derived. Then, in step SP15, a ship allocation plan including the discharging port call sequence and the discharging port total supply volume set in the first half plan P1 and the loading port call sequence and the supply volume by type set in the second half plan P2 is output to the user terminal 3.

[0198] <Action and effect> The shipping allocation plan creation device (server device 2) of this embodiment is a shipping allocation plan creation device that derives a shipping allocation plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, and is equipped with: a reception unit 51 that receives prerequisite information PR related to the shipping allocation plan; a processing unit 52 that calculates some of the content related to the shipping allocation plan using the prerequisite information PR; an acquisition unit 21 that acquires condition information including the content; a first setting unit 28 that uses the condition information to set a first index (obj1) that includes a first parameter related to the shipping allocation plan as a variable and is an index indicating the cost of transportation; a second setting unit 29 that uses the condition information to set second indexes (obj2, obj3, obj4) that include a second parameter related to the shipping allocation plan as a variable and are the same as or different from the first parameter, and are indexes indicating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; and a calculation unit 23 that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping allocation plan so that the value of the objective function F, which includes the sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index, is small.

[0199] This configuration allows for the creation of a vessel allocation plan while balancing the first index (obj1) and the second indexes (obj2, obj3, obj4), which are in a trade-off relationship with each other. In other words, it is possible to create an efficient vessel allocation plan that minimizes discrepancies with the raw materials required at the discharge port while suppressing costs.

[0200] Furthermore, the processing unit 52 sets some of the contents related to the vessel allocation plan in accordance with the first half plan P1, and uses this set information to derive the vessel allocation plan using the objective function F in accordance with the second half plan P2. This makes it possible to reduce the burden of calculation processing using the objective function F. In other words, it is possible to suppress the complexity of calculations using the objective function F, which is particularly prone to becoming complicated, and perform calculations efficiently.

[0201] In the shipping plan creation device, the processing unit 52 uses the prerequisite information PR to calculate the order in which the ship will call at multiple discharging ports (discharging port call order) and the total amount of raw materials that the ship will supply to each of the multiple discharging ports (discharging port supply total amount).

[0202] With this configuration, the discharge port call order and the total discharge port supply volume are set in accordance with the first half plan P1, so the conditions at the discharge port can be determined. That is, in the second half plan P2, which is executed after the first half plan P1, calculations can be performed with the discharge port call order and the total discharge port supply volume determined. This makes it possible to derive a vessel routing plan that satisfies the discharge port call order and the total discharge port supply volume. Furthermore, by determining the conditions at the discharge port, resources can be allocated to searching for the contents of the vessel routing plan that minimizes the objective function F. That is, it becomes possible to efficiently calculate a vessel routing plan that minimizes the objective function F.

[0203] In the vessel allocation plan creation device, the port call sequence (discharge port call sequence) is information that associates a ship with multiple discharge ports that the ship will call at, and the date of call at each discharge port.

[0204] According to this configuration, by associating ships, discharging ports, and port call dates as the order of port calls at discharging ports, the order of port calls at discharging ports in the shipping plan can be appropriately set.

[0205] In the vessel allocation plan creation device, the total amount (total amount supplied to a discharge port) indicates the total amount of raw materials that a vessel supplies to one discharge port.

[0206] According to this configuration, the total amount of raw materials supplied to a discharge port is set as the total amount of raw materials supplied by a ship to one discharge port, so that the general framework for raw material supply on the discharge port side can be set.

[0207] In the shipping plan creation device, the prerequisite information PR includes at least one of information indicating the relative positions of multiple discharging ports, information indicating the remaining amount of raw material in the raw material tanks at each discharging port, and information indicating the amount of raw material consumed at each discharging port.

[0208] According to this configuration, the order of port calls at the discharge port and the total supply volume at the discharge port can be appropriately set using the prerequisite information PR.

[0209] In the shipping plan creation device, the calculation unit 23 uses the objective function F to derive the order in which a ship will call at multiple loading ports (loading port call order) and the amount of each type of raw material that the ship will supply to each of multiple discharging ports (supply amount by type).

[0210] With this configuration, the detailed contents of the vessel allocation plan (loading port call order and supply volume by type) can be set using the general contents (discharge port call order and total discharge port supply volume) set in the first half plan P1. Also, by setting the discharge port call order and total discharge port supply volume in the first half plan P1, it is possible to focus on setting the loading port call order and supply volume by type in the second half plan P2. In other words, it is possible to efficiently create a vessel allocation plan that minimizes discrepancies in the raw materials required at the discharge port while suppressing costs.

[0211] In the shipping plan creation device, the prerequisite information PR includes first prerequisite information PR0 and second prerequisite information PR1 that is different from the first prerequisite information PR0, the processing unit 52 calculates the content using the first prerequisite information PR0 and the second prerequisite information PR1, and the calculation unit 23 derives the first parameter and the second parameter using the content and the first prerequisite information PR0.

[0212] According to this configuration, the processing unit 52 performs calculations using the first precondition information PR0 and the second precondition information PR1 in response to the first-half plan P1, and the calculation unit 23 performs calculations using the content determined by the processing unit 52 and the first precondition information PR0 in response to the second-half plan P2. This allows calculations to be performed using appropriate information at each stage while using the first precondition information PR0 as a common condition for the first-half plan P1 and the second-half plan P2. Furthermore, it is possible to carry over the content determined in the first-half plan P1 to the second-half plan P2 and perform calculations. This allows for efficient creation of a shipping plan.

[0213] In the shipping plan creation device, the first prerequisite information PR0 includes at least one of information regarding ocean-going ships, information regarding domestic ships, information regarding multiple discharging ports, information regarding the type of raw material, information regarding the amount of raw material purchased within a specified period, and information regarding the draft value of each discharging port, and the second prerequisite information PR1 includes at least one of information regarding the relative positions of the multiple discharging ports, information regarding the remaining amount of raw material in the raw material tanks at each discharging port, and information regarding the amount of raw material consumed at each discharging port.

[0214] According to this configuration, the first half plan P1 and the second half plan P2 can be executed appropriately using the basic information related to the first prerequisite information PR0, and the specific information related to the second prerequisite information PR1 makes it possible to efficiently determine the general contents of the shipping plan in the first half plan P1.

[0215] In the shipping plan creation device, the prerequisite information PR includes first prerequisite information PR0, second prerequisite information PR1 different from the first prerequisite information PR0, and third prerequisite information PR2 different from the first prerequisite information PR0 and the second prerequisite information PR1, and the processing unit 52 calculates the content using the first prerequisite information PR0 and the second prerequisite information PR1, and the calculation unit 23 derives the first parameter and the second parameter using the content, the first prerequisite information PR0, and the third prerequisite information PR2.

[0216] According to this configuration, the processing unit 52 performs calculations using the first prerequisite information PR0, the second prerequisite information PR1, and the third prerequisite information PR2 in response to the first-half plan P1, and the calculation unit 23 performs calculations using the content determined by the processing unit 52 and the first prerequisite information PR0 and the third prerequisite information PR2 in response to the second-half plan P2. This allows calculations to be performed using appropriate information at each stage while using the first prerequisite information PR0 as a common condition for the first-half plan P1 and the second-half plan P2. Furthermore, it is possible to carry over the content determined in the first-half plan P1 to the second-half plan P2 and perform calculations. This allows for efficient creation of a shipping plan.

[0217] In the shipping plan creation device, the first prerequisite information PR0 includes at least one of information on ocean-going ships, information on coastal ships, information on multiple discharging ports, information on the types of raw materials, information on the amount of raw materials to be purchased within a specified period, and information on the draft value of each discharging port; the second prerequisite information PR1 includes at least one of information on the relative positions of multiple discharging ports, information on the remaining amount of raw materials in the raw material tanks at each discharging port, and information on the amount of raw materials consumed at each discharging port; and the third prerequisite information PR2 includes at least one of information on the relative positions of multiple loading ports, information on the combinations of raw materials that can be loaded at each loading port, information on the lower limit of the raw material matching rate, information on the weight of the objective function F, information on the maximum allowable value of density error, information on the number of types of raw materials that can be loaded on one ship, and information on the lower limit of the operating amount for unloading and loading raw materials.

[0218] This configuration allows the first half plan P1 and the second half plan P2 to be executed appropriately based on the basic information related to the first precondition information PR0, and allows the specific information related to the second precondition information PR1 to efficiently determine the outline of the vessel allocation plan in the first half plan P1. Then, the specific information related to the third precondition information PR2 allows the specific content of the vessel allocation plan to be appropriately determined in the second half plan P2.

[0219] <Modification> The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, variations of the above-described embodiments, which are appropriately modified by a person skilled in the art, are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they include the features of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the modifications described below can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they include the features of the present disclosure.

[0220] For example, in the above embodiment, the server device 2 has each function, but each function may be provided in the user terminal 3. Furthermore, each function may be distributed between the server device 2 and the user terminal 3.

[0221] In the above embodiment, the case where the parameters related to the shipping plan are set in advance has been described as an example, but the parameters related to the shipping plan may be set automatically. For example, the parameters related to the shipping plan may be extracted using information on past shipping plans, and the extracted parameters may be used in the shipping plan to be created.

[0222] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the setting unit 22 sets unset parameters and the like as variables for a preset objective function F, but the objective function F may be automatically generated.

[0223] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which calculations are performed to minimize the value of the objective function F, but the calculation is not limited to a minimum as long as the value of the objective function F is small. For example, calculations may be performed so that the value of the objective function F is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In other words, the degree to which the shipping route plan creation device is made to reduce the value of the objective function F (how suitable a solution for unset parameters it is made to derive) can be set appropriately by the user depending on at least one of the following: the processing capacity of the shipping route plan creation device, the balance between the time required for the shipping route plan creation device to create a shipping route plan and the desired frequency of creating shipping route plans, the accuracy of the shipping route plan desired by the user, etc.

[0224] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where C1 and C2 in equation (2) are the same value has been described, but C1 and C2 may be different values. Furthermore, the term obj4 may be multiplied by the same coefficient as C1 or C2. Note that the present invention is not limited to multiplying a term by a coefficient, and the term may be deleted from the objective function F.

[0225] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case has been exemplified in which the second index is multiplied by a coefficient less than 1 using C1 and C2 in equation (2), but the coefficients are not limited to these. The coefficient less than 1 by which the second index is multiplied may be, for example, the second coefficients (w2, w3, w4) by which the second indexes (obj2, obj3, obj4) in equation (1) are multiplied. Even in this case, by setting the second coefficient (e.g., w2) corresponding to any second index (e.g., obj2) in equation (1) to be less than 1, the influence of the second index on the objective function F can be suppressed.

[0226] The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or other corresponding information. The mathematical formulas, etc. using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure.

[0227] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0228] The term "determining" in this disclosure may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" may include, for example, determining, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and so forth. "Determining" may also include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, and so forth, and so forth. That is, "determining" may include ascertaining, and so forth, any action.

[0229] In this disclosure, when expressions such as "obtaining / setting / using / based on / using information as input" (including similar expressions) are used, unless otherwise specified, this includes cases where the information itself is used, or where information that has been processed in some way (e.g., information that has been noise-added, normalized, features extracted from the information, intermediate representations of the information, etc.) is used. Furthermore, when a statement is made that a result is obtained "by obtaining / setting / using / based on / using information as input" (including similar expressions), this includes cases where the result is obtained based solely on the information, or cases where the result is influenced by other information, factors, conditions, and / or states other than the information in question, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, when a statement is made that "outputting information" (including similar expressions), this includes cases where the information itself is used as output, or where information that has been processed in some way (e.g., information that has been noise-added, normalized, features extracted from the information, intermediate representations of various information, etc.) is used as output, unless otherwise specified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0230] 2: Server device (shipping plan creation device) 21: Acquisition section 23: Arithmetic section 28:First setting section 29:Second setting section 52: Processing section A1~Am: Unloading station F: Objective function F1~Fn: Ship G1~Gk: Raw materials Gr1~Gr2: Group T1~T8: Loading port obj1 :First index obj2, obj3, obj4: Second index PR: Prerequisite information

Claims

1. A shipping plan creation device that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, an acquisition unit that acquires condition information set by a user; a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index that indicates a cost required for transportation; a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second parameter that is the same as or different from the first parameter, includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable, and sets a second index that is an index indicating a difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to reduce a value of an objective function including a sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index; A shipping plan creation device comprising:

2. the calculation unit derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan when a predetermined constraint condition is satisfied and a value of the objective function is minimized; The shipping plan creation device according to claim 1.

3. the objective function includes a weighted linear sum obtained by adding a term obtained by multiplying the first index by a first coefficient and a term obtained by multiplying the second index by a second coefficient; 3. The shipping plan creation device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first indicator is an indicator indicating the number of port calls of the ship at the plurality of loading ports, 3. The shipping plan creation device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The second index is an index indicating a value obtained by calculating the difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port for each type of raw material and summing the differences.

3. The shipping plan creation device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A plurality of types of the raw materials are transported, and each of the raw materials is divided into a plurality of groups, The second index is an index indicating a value obtained by calculating, for each group, a difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port, and summing the differences.

3. The shipping plan creation device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A plurality of types of the raw materials are transported, and the density of the raw materials is set for each type, the second index is an index indicating the difference between a weighted average of the densities of the raw materials to be transported to the discharge port and a weighted average of the densities of the raw materials required at the discharge port; 3. The shipping plan creation device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The condition information includes a date when the ship will call at the discharge port and a total amount of the raw materials that the ship will supply to the discharge port.

3. The shipping plan creation device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The objective function is such that the second index is multiplied by a coefficient less than 1.

3. The shipping plan creation device according to claim 1 or 2.

10. the calculation unit derives the first parameter and the second parameter so as to satisfy a constraint condition on the second index and reduce a value of the objective function. The shipping plan creating device according to claim 9.

11. The constraint on the second index is a lower limit on the matching rate between the raw materials to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port. The shipping plan creation device according to claim 10.

12. A shipping plan creation device that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, a reception unit that receives prerequisite information related to the shipping plan; a processing unit that calculates a part of the contents of the shipping plan using the prerequisite information; an acquisition unit that acquires condition information including the content; a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index that indicates a cost required for transportation; a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second parameter that is the same as or different from the first parameter, includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable, and sets a second index that is an index indicating a difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to reduce a value of an objective function including a sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index; A shipping plan creation device comprising:

13. The processing unit uses the prerequisite information to calculate, as the contents, the order in which the ship will call at the plurality of discharge ports and the total amount of the raw materials that the ship will supply to each of the plurality of discharge ports. The shipping plan creating device according to claim 12.

14. The port call sequence is information in which the ship, the plurality of discharge ports at which the ship will call, and the date of call at each discharge port are associated with each other. The shipping plan creating device according to claim 13.

15. The total amount indicates the total amount of the raw materials that the ship supplies to one of the discharge ports.

15. The shipping plan creating device according to claim 13 or 14.

16. The prerequisite information includes at least one of information indicating a positional relationship between the plurality of discharging ports, information indicating a remaining amount of the raw material in a raw material tank at each of the discharging ports, and information indicating a consumption amount of the raw material at each of the discharging ports.

15. The shipping plan creating device according to claim 13 or 14.

17. The calculation unit uses the objective function to derive a port call order in which the ship will call at the plurality of loading ports and an amount of each type of the raw material to be supplied by the ship to each of the plurality of discharging ports.

15. The shipping plan creating device according to claim 13 or 14.

18. the prerequisite information includes first prerequisite information and second prerequisite information different from the first prerequisite information; the processing unit calculates the content using the first prerequisite information and the second prerequisite information; the calculation unit derives the first parameter and the second parameter using the content and the first prerequisite information; The shipping plan creating device according to claim 12.

19. the first prerequisite information includes at least one of information on ocean-going vessels, information on coastal vessels, information on the plurality of discharging ports, information on the types of raw materials, information on the amount of raw material purchased within a predetermined period, and information on the draft value of each of the discharging ports; the second prerequisite information includes at least one of information regarding a positional relationship between the plurality of discharging ports, information regarding the remaining amount of the raw material in a raw material tank at each of the discharging ports, and information regarding the consumption amount of the raw material at each of the discharging ports; The shipping plan creation device according to claim 18.

20. the prerequisite information includes first prerequisite information, second prerequisite information different from the first prerequisite information, and third prerequisite information different from the first prerequisite information and the second prerequisite information; the processing unit calculates the content using the first prerequisite information and the second prerequisite information; the calculation unit derives the first parameter and the second parameter using the content, the first prerequisite information, and the third prerequisite information. The shipping plan creating device according to claim 12.

21. the first prerequisite information includes at least one of information on ocean-going vessels, information on coastal vessels, information on the plurality of discharging ports, information on the types of raw materials, information on the amount of raw material purchased within a predetermined period, and information on the draft value of each of the discharging ports; the second prerequisite information includes at least one of information regarding a positional relationship between the plurality of discharging ports, information regarding the remaining amount of the raw material in the raw material tank at each of the discharging ports, and information regarding the consumption amount of the raw material at each of the discharging ports; the third prerequisite information includes at least one of information regarding a positional relationship between the plurality of loading ports, information regarding a combination of the raw materials that can be loaded at each of the loading ports, information regarding a lower limit value of the raw material matching rate, information regarding a weight of the objective function, information regarding a maximum allowable value of density error, information regarding the number of types of the raw materials that can be loaded onto one ship, and information regarding a lower limit amount of operation related to unloading and loading of the raw materials; The shipping plan creation device according to claim 20.

22. A method for creating a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, comprising: acquiring condition information set by a user; a step of setting a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index that indicates a cost required for transportation, using the condition information; using the condition information to set a second parameter that is the same as or different from the first parameter, includes the second parameter related to the vessel allocation plan as a variable, and is an index indicating a difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port; deriving the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so that a value of an objective function including a sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index becomes small; A method for creating a shipping plan.

23. A method for creating a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, comprising: receiving prerequisite information related to the shipping plan; calculating a part of the contents of the shipping plan using the prerequisite information; acquiring condition information including the content; a step of setting a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index that indicates a cost required for transportation, using the condition information; using the condition information to set a second parameter that is the same as or different from the first parameter, includes the second parameter related to the vessel allocation plan as a variable, and is an index indicating a difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharge port and the raw materials required at the discharge port; deriving the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so that a value of an objective function including a sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index becomes small; A method for creating a shipping plan.

24. A shipping plan creation program that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, Computer, an acquisition unit that acquires condition information set by a user; a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index that indicates a cost required for transportation; a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second parameter that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable, and that sets a second index that is an index indicating a difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to reduce a value of an objective function including a sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index; A shipping planning program that functions as a

25. A shipping plan creation program that derives a shipping plan for transporting raw materials by ship from a loading port to a discharging port, Computer, a reception unit that receives prerequisite information related to the shipping plan; a processing unit that calculates a part of the contents of the shipping plan using the prerequisite information; an acquisition unit that acquires condition information including the content; a first setting unit that uses the condition information to set a first index that includes a first parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable and is an index that indicates a cost required for transportation; a second setting unit that uses the condition information to set a second parameter that is the same as or different from the first parameter and includes the second parameter related to the shipping plan as a variable, and that sets a second index that is an index indicating a difference between the raw materials to be transported to the discharging port and the raw materials required at the discharging port; a calculation unit that derives the first parameter and the second parameter related to the shipping plan so as to reduce a value of an objective function including a sum of a term related to the first index and a term related to the second index; A shipping planning program that functions as a

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