https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/14753995/homepage/call_for_special_issue_papers.htm
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Call for Papers
INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS INOPERATIONAL RESEARCH
Special Issue on
“Network Design, Energy Efficiency, and Intelligent Methods in Logistics Systems”
Guest Editors
Jesica de Armasa,
Eduardo Lalla-Ruízb,
Rosa G. González-Ramírezc
Rommert Dekkerd
The International Transactions in Operational Research (ITOR), the flagship journal published by the International Federation of Operational Research Societies, will publish a special issue dedicated to “Network Design, Energy Efficiency, and Intelligent Methods in Logistics Systems” at the occasion of the 14th International Conference on Logistics and Maritime Systems (LOGMS 2026), jointly organized with the 2nd EURO Mini Conference on Maritime Optimization and Logistics (EUROMar 2026), to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from July 7 to 10, 2026. Although we strongly encourage the submission of papers presented at the special sessions on this subject at the conference, this Call for Papers is open to the entire academic and practitioner community.
Logistics systems are increasingly organized as complex, interconnected networks that span multiple modes, actors, and decision levels. Designing and operating these networks efficiently is critical for the performance and resilience of global supply chains. At the same time, logistics is under strong pressure to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and adapt to stricter environmental targets. In parallel, rapid advances in data availability, connectivity, and computation are driving the adoption of intelligent methods (including advanced analytics, optimization, simulation, machine learning, and AI-based decision-support) across logistics planning and operations.
Against this backdrop, this special issue on “Network Design, Energy Efficiency, and Intelligent Methods in Logistics Systems” aims to gather high-quality, innovative research that advances our understanding of how to design, manage, and optimize logistics networks under economic, environmental, and operational criteria. We are interested in theoretical developments, methodological advances, and applied contributions that provide actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers.
Although the scope is broad and covers logistics systems in general (e.g., freight transportation, urban logistics, intermodal and hinterland networks, inventory-routing systems), we place a special emphasis onmaritimeandport-related logistics, given their central role in global trade and their large energy and environmental footprint. Contributions addressing port–hinterland systems, maritime transport networks, and integrated land-sea logistics are particularly welcome.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, analytical, optimization, simulation, datadriven, and empirical approaches to address relevant issues in the following areas:
• Design and optimization of logistics and transportation networks;
• Energy-efficient and low-carbon logistics systems, including alternative fuels, electrification, and modal shifts;
• Intelligent and data-driven methods in logistics: AI, machine learning, digital twins, and real-time decision-support;
• Integrated planning of transport, inventory, and facility location in supply chain networks;
• Routing, scheduling, and fleet management problems with energy, environmental, or robustness considerations;
• Resilience, risk analysis, and disruption management in logistics networks;
• Performance measurement, sustainability assessment, and life-cycle analysis of logistics systems. and
• Coordination and synchronization across modes and actors (e.g., intermodal and collaborative logistics).
Maritime and port-focused topics (within the above themes) include, but are not limited to
• Design and optimization of maritime shipping and service networks, including green and energyaware networks;
• Fleet deployment, routing, and speed management with fuel, emissions, and energy constraints;
• Empty container management and equipment allocation in container networks;
• Port and terminal operations planning: berth allocation, quay crane scheduling, stowage planning, and seaside operations;
• Yard and landside operations: container stacking, yard crane deployment, horizontal transport, and gate/truck management;
• Port-hinterland and inland waterway network design and operations; and
• Energy systems and technologies for ports and maritime logistics.
The submission deadline is November 30, 2026. All submitted papers will undergo the standard peer-review procedures established by ITOR.
Submitted papers must beoriginal, unpublished, and not currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.
All submissions must fit within the journal’s domain statement and will be judged for their relevance to the special issue’s scope, innovativeness, and the extent of theoretical and practical research contribution. Contributions should be prepared according to the instructions to authors available at the journal homepage on https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/ 14753995/homepage/forauthors.html. Authors should submit and upload their contributions using the submission site https://wiley.atyponrex.com/journal/ITOR, indicating in their cover letter that the paper is intended for this special issue. Other inquiries should be sent directly to the guest editors in charge of this issue: Jesica de Armas (jesica.dearmas@upf.edu), Eduardo Lalla-Ruíz (e.a.lalla@utwente.nl), Rosa G. González-Ramírez (rgonzalez@uandes.cl), and Rommert Dekker (rdekker@ese.eur.nl).