Development of a 3D Dynamic Programming Method for Weather Routing

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a novel forward dynamic programming method for weather routing to minimize ship fuel consumption during a voyage. Compared with the traditional two dimensional dynamic programming (2DDP) methods which only optimize the ship's heading, while the engine power or propeller rotation speed are set as a constant throughout the voyage, this new method considers both the ship power setting and heading control. A float state technique is used to reduce the iteration on the process of optimization for computing time saving. This new method could lead to a real global-optimal routing in a comparison with a tradition weather routing method which results in a sub-optimal routing.

KEYWORDS: Weather Routing, Route Optimization, Route Optimization Algorithm, 3D Dynamic Programming Method, 2D Dynamic Programming Method, Process of Optimization, Global Optimal Routing, Dynamic Programming (DP)

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Citation note:

Wei S., Zhou P.: Development of a 3D Dynamic Programming Method for Weather Routing. TransNav, the International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 79-85, 2012

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