A hybrid genetic algorithm helps solve the pulp distribution problem at a large Scandinavian pulp producer by finding ship schedules and optimal pulp deliveries that minimize distribution costs. It uses two linear programming models. One optimizes all transport flows for a given schedule; the other approximates a schedule's performance and selects the fittest one. The authors performed computational experiments using real-world data instances and compare the results with a mixed-integer-programming approach.
This article is part of a special issue on advanced heuristics in transportation and logistics.