Analysis of Essential Factors and Judgement of ObjectivesConcerning Empty Container Allocation System

As the competition of container liner shipping market grows more and more vehement, shipping companies should organize the allocation of empty containers among different ports efficiently in order to raise the level of container management and reduce the cost of it. On the basis of analysis, the essential factors playing a key role in the empty container allocation system are the supply port and demand port, the demand and supply of empty containers, the stock of empty containers, the container leasing and counting period of the empty container allocation system. Finally, on the basis of objectives assessment, the paper puts forward the objectives of container allocation system, namely, minimum cost and consignor's satisfaction.