Note: i3lab

Abstract: Purpose: This paper discusses the current state of research on tactical planning in tramp shipping problems. The constantly changing demands in operative tramp shipping make tactical or strategical, i.e. longer-term planning, in comparison to op-erative planning more complex. The purpose of this paper is to describe solutions to tactical planning difficulties in tramp shipping and to point out future research direc-tions. Methodology: For this paper, a systematic literature review of journal articles and book chapters of the last ten years is conducted. The findings of this search are ana-lyzed and reviewed. Thus, different planning problems and their solutions are iden-tified. Findings: Planning problems in tramp shipping are clearly distinct from planning problems in liner shipping as tramp shipping is subject to considerably more uncer-tainties. Due to the high degree of uncertainties in tramp shipping longer-term plan-ning is challenging. Consequently, the results of research on tactical planning prob-lems in liner shipping cannot be transferred directly to tramp shipping. Originality: This paper provides a comprehensive overview of strategic and tactical planning in tramp shipping as presented in the literature