THE OPTIMIZATION OF THE GREEK COASTAL SHIPPING TRANSPORTATION NETWORK

This dissertation presents a heuristic algorithm that improves the coastal network in the Greek Aegean Sea. The Greek coastal shipping - except for its specific role for Greek tourism - becomes of utmost importance after the decision of the European Union to reinforce, for special reasons, the short-distance shipping. This dissertation suggests and describes a methodology for the re-planning of the coastal network of Greece and aims to develop a new model of the coastal shipping network in Greece. This model is documented by the heuristic algorithm for improvement, the NAUTILUS. This algorithm drastically improves the travel times for the Aegean destinations and poses the terms and conditions for the materialisation of a Complete Decision System, for the overall improvement of the Greek coastal shipping.