Joint optimization of vessel traffic scheduling and berth allocation in a multi-basin and multi-anchorage port with one-way channel

To address the joint optimization of vessel traffic organization and berth allocation in ports with multiple anchorages, multiple basins, and a one-way navigation channel, this study develops a joint scheduling framework. Typical traffic conflicts among inbound and outbound vessels at buoys, channel entrances, merge–diverge point, and harbor basins are first analyzed. A mixed-integer linear programming model is then formulated to minimize the sum of normalized total vessel waiting time and normalized overall schedule completion time, while incorporating berth compatibility, one-way navigation rules, navigational continuity, safety time intervals, and tidal-window constraints. To solve complex instances, an improved genetic algorithm, termed OHE-IGA, is designed by integrating structured One-Hot encoding with adaptive parameter control, enabling simultaneous representation of vessel sequencing and berth assignment. Numerical experiments based on a representative area of Jingtang Port show that the proposed method reduces the overall objective value by 30.98% compared with FCFS, and that One-Hot encoding reduces the average objective value by 3.72% compared with conventional one-dimensional encoding. Comparisons with CPLEX, GA, PSO, and FCFS further indicate that OHE-IGA can obtain high-quality feasible solutions within acceptable computational time for medium- and large-scale scenarios.