Vessel Deployment and De-Hubbing in Maritime Networks: A Case Study on Colombo Port and Its Feeder Market

Generally, vessels are deployed as hub-and-spoke networks to achieve high slot utilization and cost efficiency for shipping lines in global maritime container networks. At the Port of Colombo, most transhipment containers originate from destined Indian ports, export/import volume which has been rapidly increasing, ports have developed accommodate vessel enlargement. In such circumstances, partial or complete abandonment a hub (Colombo port) this region is expected, known “de-hubbing.” This study aims clarify impact port developments an increase cargo demand source country on network selection perspective lines. We develop mixed integer linear programming model describe deployment, including via Colombo direct shipment ports. As result analysis, number services expected when increases development conducted. The progress de-hubbing phenomenon decreases size at because mostly satisfied by newly trunk suggests that if expects maintain its status, it critical consider various other incentives attract retain mainline carriers addition expanding infrastructure. Similarly, India receive calls mainlines, important not only their infrastructure but also demand.