AutoStow

We want the player to start using AutoStow. This will save time for the planner and it will help the planner to get a decent planning, without the planner needing much experience.

The player will learn how to use the different strategies of AutoStow, in different scenario’s, to optimize vessel planning performance which will increase trust in the AutoStow system and will show the benefits of this system.

The game is designed to (primarily) train the vessel planners in the usage of the AutoStow system. Currently all the containers are planned manually to the vessel by the planner who drags the containers one by one to the vessel (in the software that is). It is possible to drag multiple containers, yet it will remain a very time-consuming activity.

Yet it will remain important to evaluate the outcome of the plan generated by AutoStow. The planner might be distracted because of the easiness of the software and problems* generated by AutoStow might remain hidden.

Besides the duration it’s also important to understand that vessel planning is a complex process where different strategies need to be considered. Weight distribution, order of unloading a dangerous container need to be considered. At this point, only a few planners have the experience to do this work and it will take a long time to train a vessel planner.