# Maritime Supply Chain Optimization by Using Fuzzy Goal Programming
###### Abstract  
Fuzzy goal programming has important applications in many areas of supply chain, logistics, transportation and shipping business. Business management has complications, and there exist many interactions between the factors of its components. The locomotive of world trade is maritime transport and approximately 90% of the products in the world are transported by sea. Optimization of maritime operations is a challenge in order to provide technical, operational and financial benefits. Fuzzy goal programming models attract interests of many scholars, therefore the objective of this paper is to investigate the problem of minimization of total cost and minimization of loss or damage of containers returned from destination port. There are various types of fuzzy goal programming problems based on models and solution methods. This paper employs fuzzy goal programming with triangular fuzzy numbers, membership functions, constraints, assumptions as well as the variables and parameters for optimizing the solution of the model problem. The proposed model presents the mathematical algorithm, and reveals the optimal solution according to satisfaction rank from 0 to 1. Providing a theoretical background, this study offers novel ideas to researchers, decision makers and authorities. maritime supply chain; optimization; goal programming; fuzzy sets 20211423390/a1408  
maritime businesses based on management philosophy to maximize the benefits that will be obtained [4; 5]. Supply chain management enables maritime businesses to compete by taking advantage of more comprehensive, planned, and organized opportunities in the transportation sector. Besides, with the supply chain management, the costs can be minimized by fulfilling the requests of the end-users in a shorter time. It is the parameters that should be in a competitive environment to transport the desired cargo to the destination ports at the desired number, on time and with the least cost. To minimize the cost of road, railway, and sea transportation and to maximize customer satisfaction, optimization of supply chain management must be created and implemented effectively. Ultimately, effective supply chain management will lead to reduced inventories and waiting times, lower operational costs, and delivery of cargo to the ports at the appropriate time. In this case, the creation and optimization of the maritime supply chain become more important [6]. Shipping companies should choose the best price for transportation prices of the cargo where carried in the maritime supply chain in a competitive environment. They are also required to carry out studies to minimize storage and operation processes. Maritime supply chain structures, which include many transportation and logistics companies aim to provide fast, cooperative, synchronized, minimum cost, and customer satisfaction from the first point of cargo to the endpoint. The main objectives of an effective supply chain management are to store low-cost and quality products in hub-ports and deliver them to customers as quickly as possible [7]. Maritime transport has played an important role in facilitating international trade in many globalized industries, as there is often a tendency to maritime services in supply chain management. This process has reshaped the roles and strategies of hub-ports and port users used for the global supply chain [8]. In general, there are two broad strategies that can be adopted to structure the resources, capabilities or activities of maritime shipping companies and to compete in the maritime transport industry. These are low cost and differentiation strategies. While both strategies are important and need to be followed simultaneously by one firm, one must have a higher priority strategy than the other. The reason for this is that their activities that support both strategies are somewhat contradictory, and often trade is necessary for a firm to gain a sustainable competitive position in the market [9; 10; 11].