Ships shore service optimization using the queueing theory

Abstract

This paper is presenting a solution for simplifying shore maintenance service teams scheduling procedure in the maritime industry. Shore maintenance service teams scheduling procedure in the past required either advanced mathematical knowledge in the area of the queueing theory or adequate computerized software for the calculation. That action in the past was usually outsourced; companies did not have personnel capable of solving the queueing theory nor the software needed for the calculation. The solution, presented in the paper, enables in-house scheduling of the shore maintenance service teams using only basic knowledge of the theory, without the use of the specially designed software. The scheduling is performed using a simplified Excel template for Queueing theory, inserting the data from ship’s Computerized Planned Maintenance System. The Excel template, after filling the data, determines the optimal number of teams for the fleet and performs the calculation according to the desired or optimal service level. Simplified Excel template for Queueing theory cut the costs for the calculation and scheduling enabling additional savings in the industry. (Received in June 2019, accepted in October 2019. This paper was with the authors 3 weeks for 1 revision.).