Implementing an evolutionary algorithm for locating container yards of a 3PL provider

Defining the facility location is considered as a strategic decision in the context of the supply network management. Often, this decision is made based on minimum cost or best service criteria. However, most of the time these criteria are taken into account separately because the inherent complexity of the multi-objective optimization problems. This study shows the application of the multi-objective evolutionary algorithm known as NSGAII in a real situation faced by a logistics operator in Colombia in order to evaluate different alternatives of distribution for this company.