A Route Optimization Method Based on Simulated Annealing Algorithm for Wind-Assisted Ships

Aimed to the global demand for energy-saving and emission-reduction, and urgent need of shipping industry to cut down fuel costs, the wind-assisted ships are taken as an effective way for energy-saving and emission reduction of transoceanic crossing ships, this work focused on route optimization model to provide theoretical basis and technical support for wind-assisted ships. Firstly, this work analyses the route optimization of the wind-assisted ship, and two optimization objectives are defined. Secondly, the route optimization models for the minimum fuel consumption under the limited voyage time and the minimum voyage time on the condition of fixed main engine power were built separately, and the optimization algorithm based on simulated annealing was designed. At last, a 76,000DWT wind-assisted ship was taken as the experimental ship, and the feasibility and rationality of the model and algorithm was verified. As the simulation shown, the optimal route solved in this paper is effective in path planning problem of wind-assisted ship and has practical significance.