Title: Intermodal transport path optimisation for perishable cargos: considering refrigeration-failure condition and uncertain railway loading demand

Authors: Qianli Ma; Lin Zhu; Linlin Xu; Peng Jia

Addresses: Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, Room 315, Yuanwang Building, 116026, Liaoning, China ' Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, Room 315, Yuanwang Building, 116026, Liaoning, China ' Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, Room 315, Yuanwang Building, 116026, Liaoning, China ' Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Road, Dalian, Room 315, Yuanwang Building, 116026, Liaoning, China

Abstract: The transportation of perishable cargo through existing intermodal freight networks has significantly increased. The focus on efficient transhipment of refrigerated containers has been driven by the strict quality requirements of perishable goods. An intermodal transportation path optimisation model is proposed, the objective is to minimise average cost and quality degradation. Considering the uncertain railway loading demand, the impact of refrigeration supply and failure on quality degradation is explored. The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is adopted. A numerical experiment is conducted for the import of apples from the Port of Antwerp to Lanzhou. Results indicate that, although refrigeration failure time is brief, it can lead to up to 40% quality degradation compared to the supply state. The research provides robust transportation solutions for perishable products, recommending that the duration of single stops at nodes be limited to less than 11% of the total time to preserve freshness. For transfer station operators, shortening the duration of refrigeration failure and enhancing service levels within stations emerge as effective methods to attract shippers.

Keywords: perishable cargos; refrigerated container; refrigeration-failure; quality degradation; uncertain; carbon emissions; NSGA- II; multi-objective.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2026.151954

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2026 Vol.22 No.2, pp.263 - 301

Received: 22 Feb 2024
Accepted: 23 Jan 2025
Published online: 27 Feb 2026 *

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