Shipping decision support system

• Main Author: Poh, Letitia Jia Xuan
• Other Authors: Lam Siu Lee
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Maritime studies::Maritime management and business
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/39418
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Shipping is a global business and is considered the most important form of transport in large quantities. With globalization and increased competition, decision makers need to be more responsive and decisive in order to take advantage of business opportunities. The use of a Decision Support System (DSS) can hence potentially increase the effectiveness and efficiency in decision making and strategic planning by key personnel. Few studies have focused on developing an integrated Decision Support System that is not considered a black box and practical for use. This paper thus aims to identify and examine the desired technical features required to develop a comprehensive DSS. Research into academic literature, journals, shipping databases, system manuals and interviews provide understanding on the current systems available and the desired features of a DSS. Interviews done on higher management shipping executives revealed three types of DSS – Research and Forecasting, Chartering and Ship Management modules. Technical features of a Research and Forecasting DSS include having a central database, auto-population function, trend projections, demand and supply variables and scenario projections. Technical features of a Chartering DSS comprise of a real time position list, real time collaboration, voyage estimation and an over-riding function. Technical features of a Ship Management DSS encompasses of a dash board control, fleet positioning and operations function. Through qualitative findings from the interviews, it was evident that there exists no such integrated DSS that comprehensively covers all aspects of shipping operations. Additional technical features that may enhance the effectiveness of a Decision Support System and a concept to develop an integrated and comprehensive DSS are highlighted in the last part of the paper.