2 Table of Contents 0.ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 4 1.INTRODUCTION 5 2.THE MAJOR SHIPPING ACTIVITIES 6 2.1 SHIP OWNERS 6 2.2 CHARTERERS 8 2.3 BROKERS 8 2.4 BANKS 9 2.5INSURANCE 10 2.6 SHIPYARDS 11 2.7 THE SHIPPING SECTOR IN THE GREEK ECONOMY 11 3.A SURVEY OF EXISTING METHODS AND TOOLS 13 3.1 FORECASTING 13 3.2 FREIGHT RATE AS FUNCTION OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND 14 3.3 CHARTER MARKET DECISIONS UNDER UNCERTAINTY 15 3.4 INVESTMENT AND PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS 分 3.5 ACQUISITION STRATEGY-NEW BUILDINGS AND SECOND HAND 16 3.6 THE OPTIMUM SPEED OF SHIPS 17 3.7 WEATHER ROUTING 18 3.8 OPTIMAL LOADING PROBLEMS 18 3.9 MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT 19 3.10 ROUTING,SCHEDULING,AND VESSEL POSITIONING 20 4.THE IMPACT OF QUANTITATIVE METHODS:THE PIRAEUS SCENE. 21 4.1 SHIPPING COMPANIES 212 Table of Contents 0. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 4 1. INTRODUCTION 5 2. THE MAJOR SHIPPING ACTIVITIES 6 2. 1 SHIP OWNERS 6 2. 2 CHARTERERS 8 2. 3 BROKERS 8 2. 4 BANKS 9 2. 5 INSURANCE 10 2. 6 SHIPYARDS 11 2. 7 THE SHIPPING SECTOR IN THE GREEK ECONOMY 11 3. A SURVEY OF EXISTING METHODS AND TOOLS 13 3. 1 FORECASTING 13 3. 2 FREIGHT RATE AS FUNCTION OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND 14 3. 3 CHARTER MARKET DECISIONS UNDER UNCERTAINTY 15 3. 4 INVESTMENT AND PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS 15 3. 5 ACQUISITION STRATEGY - NEW BUILDINGS AND SECOND HAND 16 3. 6 THE OPTIMUM SPEED OF SHIPS 17 3. 7 WEATHER ROUTING 18 3. 8 OPTIMAL LOADING PROBLEMS 18 3. 9 MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT 19 3. 10 ROUTING, SCHEDULING, AND VESSEL POSITIONING 20 4. THE IMPACT OF QUANTITATIVE METHODS: THE PIRAEUS SCENE. 21 4. 1 SHIPPING COMPANIES 21