ANALYSIS OF SHIP ROUTE OPTIMISATION METHODS BASED ON INTEGRATION OF HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL, HYDRODYNAMIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MODELS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35546/kntu2078-4481.2026.2.18Keywords:
ship route optimisation, weather routing, isochrone method, dynamic programming, evolutionary algorithms, CII, EEXI, hydrodynamic model, seakeeping, Black SeaAbstract
This article presents a comprehensive analysis of modern ship route optimisation methods based on the integration of hydrometeorological, hydrodynamic and information technology models. The relevance of the research is determined by the strengthening of the International Maritime Organisation regulatory requirements for greenhouse gas emission reduction, particularly the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), which came into force on 1 January 2023 pursuant to amendments to MARPOL Annex VI. Weather routing optimisation is considered as one of the most effective operational measures for achieving the IMO 2023 Strategy goals of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by or around 2050. Five main classes of route optimisation algorithms are systematised: the isochrone method and its modifications (3DMI, Isochrone-A*, IPO), dynamic programming (2D and 3D), graph algorithms (Dijkstra, A*, Bidirectional A*), evolutionary algorithms (genetic algorithms, NSGA-II, PSO) and machine learning methods (surrogate models, deep reinforcement learning). For each class, mathematical formulations of objective functions and constraints are provided, and computational complexity, advantages and limitations of application are analysed. Hydrodynamic models of ship-sea environment interaction are examined, including added resistance from waves and wind based on Kwon and ITTC methods, speed loss models and seakeeping criteria in accordance with IMO second generation intact stability requirements. The architecture of modern weather routing information systems is analysed, including integration with ECDIS via RTZ format and the use of global meteorological models GFS, ECMWF and ICON. Recommendations for the selection of optimisation methods for Black Sea basin conditions are formulated, taking into account its specific hydrometeorological and navigational characteristics.
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