Dr. Ran Yan [鄢然]

Academic Positions

• Assistant Professor, March 2023 - present, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)
• Senior Research Scientist I, May 2025 - present, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) at Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR, Singapore)
• Research Assistant Professor, May 2022 - March 2023, Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong, China)

Note#: Research student or research assistant assisting supervised/co-supervised by me.

Topic 1: Port state control

1. Yan R., Liu Y., Wang S., 2024. A data-driven optimization approach to improving maritime transport efficiency. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 180, 102887.

2. Tian X.#, Yan R.*, Liu Y., Wang S., 2023. A smart predict-then-optimize method for targeted and cost-effective maritime transportation. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 172, 32–52. (ESI top 1% highly cited paper.)

3. Yan R., Wang S., Cao J., Sun D., 2021. Shipping domain knowledge informed prediction and optimization in port state control. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 149, 52-78.

4. Yan R., Wang S., Fagerholt K., 2020. A semi-"smart predict then optimize" (semi-SPO) method for efficient ship inspection. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 142, 100-125.

5. Wang S., Yan R., Qu X., 2019. Development of a non-parametric classifier: Effective identiffication, algorithm, and applications in port state control for maritime transportation. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 128, 129-157.

6. Yang Y.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., 2024. An effective ranking based data-driven model for maritime transport optimization. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 165, 104731.

7. Yan R., Wu S., Jin Y., Cao J., Wang S., 2022. Efficient and explainable ship selection planning in port state control. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 145, 103924.

8. Yan R., Wang S., Zhen L., 2023. An extended smart "predict, and optimize" (SPO) framework based on similar sets for ship inspection planning. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 173, 103109.

9. Wang R., Zhang M., Gong F., Wang S., Yan R.*, 2025. Improving port state control through a transfer learning-enhanced XGBoost model. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 253, 110558.

10. Yang Y.#, Yan R., Wang S., 2024. Prescriptive analytics models for vessel inspection planning in maritime transportation. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 190, 110012.

11. Yan R., Wang S., Zhen L., 2024. Classification and regression in non-linear prescriptive analytics: Development of hybrid models. Computers and Operations Research, 163, 106517.

12. Tian X.#, Yan R.*, Laporte G., Wang S., 2023. Prescriptive analytics for a maritime routing problem. Ocean and Coastal Management, 242, 106695.

13. Yan R., Wang S., Fagerholt K., 2021. Coordinated approaches for ship inspection planning. Maritime Policy & Management, 49(6), 897-912.

14. Yan R., Wang S., Peng C., 2021. Ship selection in port state control: Status and perspectives. Maritime Policy & Management, 49(4), 600-615.

15. Yan R., Mo H.#, Guo X., Yang Y.#, Wang S., 2021. Is port state control influenced by COVID-19? Evidence from inspection data. Transport Policy, 123, 82-103.

16. Yan R., Wang S., Peng C., 2021. An artificial intelligence model considering data imbalance for ship selection in port state control based on detention probabilities. Journal of Computational Science, 48, 101257.

17. Hou Z.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., 2022. On the K-Means clustering model for performance enhancement of port state control. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(11), 1608.

18. Yang Y.#, Yan R.*, Wang H.#, 2022. Pairwise-comparison based semi-SPO method for ship inspection planning in maritime transportation. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(11), 1696.

19. Yan R., Zhuge D., Wang S., 2021. Development of two highly-efficient and innovative inspection schemes for PSC inspection. Asia-Pacific Journal of Operational Research, 38(3), 2040022.

20. Yan R., Wang S., 2019. Ship inspection by port state control—review of current research. Smart Transportation Systems 2019, 233-241, Springer, Singapore. (Best Student Research Paper Award of KES STS 2019)

21. Yan R., Wang S., 2019. Evaluation of the influence of stricter sulphur limits within emission control area on port state control inspection. Hong Kong Society for Transportation Studies International Conference Proceedings 2019.

Topic 2: Green shipping management

1. Luo X.#, Yan R.*, Lang, X., Wang S., 2024. Accuracy and applicability of ship's fuel consumption prediction models: A comprehensive comparative analysis. Energy, 310, 133187.

2. Luo X.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., 2024. Ship sailing speed optimization considering dynamic meteorological conditions. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 167, 104827.

3. Yan R., Yang D., Wang T., Mo H.#, Wang S., 2024. Ship energy efficiency management integrating domain knowledge. Applied Energy, 368, 123132.

4. Luo X.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., 2023. Comparison of deterministic and ensemble weather forecasts on ship sailing speed optimization. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 121, 103801.

5. Wang H.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., Zhen L., 2023. Innovative approaches to addressing the tradeoff between interpretability and accuracy in ship fuel consumption prediction. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 157, 104361.

6. Luo X.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., 2023. After five years' application of the EU MRV mechanism: Review and prospectives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434, 140006.

7. Wang H.#, Yan R.*, Au H., Wang S., Jin Y., 2023. Federated learning for green shipping optimization and management. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 56, 101994.

8. Yan R., Mo H.#, Wang S., Yang D., 2023. Analysis and prediction of ship energy efficiency based on the MRV system. Maritime Policy & Management, 50(1), 117-139.

9. Tian X.#, Yan R.*, Qi J., Zhuge D., Wang S., 2022. A bi-level programming model for China's marine domestic emission control area design. Sustainability, 14(6), 3562.

10. Yan R., Wang S., Psaraftis H., 2021. Data analytics for fuel consumption management in maritime transportation: Status and perspectives. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 155, 102489.

11. Wang S., Zhen L., Psaraftis H., Yan R., 2021. Implications of the EU's inclusion of maritime transport in Emissions Trading System for shipping companies. Engineering, 7(5), 554-557.

12. Yan R., Du Y., Wang S., 2020. Development of a two-stage ship fuel consumption prediction and reduction model for a dry bulk ship. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 138, 101930.

13. Zhen L., Hu Z., Yan R., Wang S., 2020. Route and speed optimization for liner ships under emission control policies. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 110, 330-345.

14. Zhen L., Zhuge D., Murong L., Yan R., Wang S., 2019. Operation management of green ports and shipping networks: Overview and research opportunities. Frontiers of Engineering Management, 6(2), 1-11.

Topic 3: Vessel arrival time and turnaround time to port prediction and optimization

1. Yan R., Chu Z.#, Wu L., Wang S., 2024. Predicting vessel service time: A data-driven approach. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 62(B), 102718.

2. Chu Z.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., 2024. Is vessel arrival affected by COVID-19? Evidence from the Hong Kong port. Transport Policy, 154, 157-181.

3. Chu Z.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., 2024. Vessel turnaround time prediction: A machine learning approach. Ocean and Coastal Management, 249, 107021.

4. Chu Z.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., 2023. Evaluation and prediction of the punctuality of vessel arrival: A case study of Hong Kong port. Maritime Policy & Management, 51(6), 1096-1124.

Topic 4: General port and shipping management

1. Wang R., Cheng T., Yan R.*, 2024. Marine fault diagnosis with self-supervised learning incorporating out-of-distribution detection. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Vehicles, accepted and in press.

2. Teng, S.^,Yan R.^, Zhang X., Li Y., Wang X., Wang Y., Tian Y., Yu H., Li L., Chen L., Wang FY., 2024. Sora for hierarchical parallel motion planner: A safe end-to-end method against OOD events. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Vehicles, 9(4), 4573-4576. (^: co-first authors)

3. Yan R., Tian X.#, Wu S., Wang S., 2023. Development of computer vision informed container crane operator alarm methods. Transportmetrica A: Transport Science, 20(2), 2145862.

4. Chen X., Yan R.*, Wu S., Liu Z., Mo H.#, Wang S., 2021. A fleet deployment model to minimize the covering time of maritime rescue missions. Maritime Policy & Management, 50(6), 724-749.

5. Yan R., Mo H.#, Yang D., Wang S., 2021. Development of denoising and compression algorithms for AIS-based vessel trajectories. Ocean Engineering, 7(5), 554-557.

6. Yan R.*, Yi W., Wang S., 2022. Predicting maximum work duration for construction workers for sustainability in human resources. Sustainability, 14(17), 11096.

7. Guo Y.#, Yan R.*, Wu Y., Wang S., 2022. Ports opening for seafarer change during the COVID-19: Models and applications. Sustainability, 14, 2908.

8. Liu, Z., Chen, W., Liu, C., Yan R., Zhang, M., 2024. A data mining-then-predict method for proactive maritime traffic management by machine learning. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 135, 108696.

9. Xu, Y., Peng, P., Claramunt, C., Lu, F., Yan R., 2024. Cascading Failure Modelling in Global Container Shipping Network Using Mass Vessel Trajectory Data. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 135, 110231.

10. Shen X., Chen J., Yan R., 2024. A spatial–temporal model for network-wide flight delay prediction based on federated learning. Applied Soft Computing, 154, 111380.

11. Zhang X., Xiao Z., Fu X., Wei X., Liu T., Yan R., Qin Z., Zhang J., 2024. A Viewpoint adaptation ensemble contrastive learning framework for vessel type recognition with limited data. Expert Systems With Applications, 238(D), 122191.

12. Shen X., Chen J., Zhu S., Yan R., 2024. A decentralized federated learning-based spatial-temporal model for freight traffic speed forecasting. Expert Systems With Applications, 238(E), 122302.

13. Wang X., Liu Z., Yan R., Wang H.#, Zhang M., 2022. Quantitative analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on ship visiting behaviors to ports- A framework and a case study. Ocean and Coastal Management, 230, 106377.

14. Guo Y.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., 2021. Maximization of container slot booking profits for carriers in the liner shipping industry. Journal of Shipping and Trade, 6(1), 1-10.

15. Yan R., Wang S., Yang Y.#, 2021. Structured teaching of logistics modeling: Stimulating the mental capability of quantitative skills. Hong Kong Society for Transportation Studies International Conference Proceedings 2021.

16. Guo Y.#, Yan R., Wu Y., Wang S., 2021. Modeling seafarer change at seaports in COVID-19. Proceedings of the KES International Symposium on Smart Transportation Systems 2021 (KES-STS-21). Virtual conference. June 2021.

17. Wang S., Yan R.*, Wu L., Yang D., 2019. Optimal re-allocation of mooring areas for yachts. Maritime Business Review, 4(1), 94-105.

18. Yan R., Wang S., 2019. Study of data-driven methods for vessel anomaly detection based on AIS data. Smart Transportation Systems 2019, 29-37, Springer, Singapore.

Topic 5: Methodology and review

1. Luo X.#, Yan P., Yan R.*, Wang. 2024. Covariate balancing for high-dimensional samples in controlled experiments. Journal of the Operational Research Society, accepted and in press.

2. Song Y., Wu Y., Guo Y.#, Yan R., etc. 2024. Reinforcement Learning-assisted Evolutionary Algorithm: A Survey and Research Opportunities. Swarm and Evolutionary Computation, 86, 101517.

3. Wang S., Yan R.*, 2023. Fundamental challenge and solution methods in prescriptive analytics for freight transportation. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 169, 102966.

4. Yan R., Wang S., 2022. Integrating prediction with optimization: Models and applications in transportation management. Multimodal Transportation, 1(3), 100018.

5. Yang Y.#, Yan R.*, Wang S., 2022. Integrating shipping domain knowledge into computer vision models for maritime transportation. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(12), 1885.

6. Wang S., Yan R.*, 2022. A global method from predictive to prescriptive analytics considering prediction error for "Predict, then optimize" with an example of low-carbon logistics. Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, 4, 100062.

7. Yan R., Wang S., 2022. "Predict, then optimize" with quantile regression: A global method from predictive to prescriptive analytics and applications to multimodal transportation. Multimodal Transportation, 4, 100035.

8. Yan R., Wang S., Zhen L., Laporte G., 2021. Emerging approaches applied to maritime transport research: Past and future. Communications in Transportation Research, 1, 100011.

Research Team (MARINA Lab)

Current PhD students

Current MEng (master by research) students

Research Fellows (post-doc researchers)

Visiting Scholar (CSC)

Undergraduates supervision under the Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus (URECA) project

Undergraduates supervision under the Final Year Project

Teaching

• Lecturer of MT2002: Shipping Economics offered by CEE NTU to year two BSc Maritime Studies students (Semester 1, 2024/2025)
• Lecturer of MT2004: Mathematics II for Maritime Studies offered by CEE NTU to year two BSc Maritime Studies students (Semester 2, 2023/2024).
• Lecturer of MT2005: Port Economics offered by CEE NTU to year two BSc Maritime Studies students (Semester 2, 2023/2024).
• Lecturer of MT1001: Mathematics I for Maritime Studies offered by CEE NTU to year one BSc Maritime Studies students (Semester 1, 2023/2024, 2024/2025).
• Lecturer of MT4001: Shipping Logistics offered by CEE NTU to year four BSc Maritime Studies students (Semester 1, 2023/2024).
• Lecturer of LGT5171: Contemporary Issues in Operations Management offered by Faculty of Business to MSc students in Business Management (core course), The HK PolyU (Semester 1, 2022/23, 34 MSc students), course evaluation by students: 4.3/5 (over department and faculty mean).
• Teaching assistant of LGT5171: Contemporary Issues in Operations Management offered by Faculty of Business, The HK PolyU (Semester 1, 2019/20, 42 MSc students), course evaluation by students: 4.7/5
• Teaching assistant of LGT5171: Contemporary Issues in Operations Management offered by Faculty of Business, The HK PolyU (Semester 1, 2019/20, 41 MSc students), course evaluation by students: 4.4/5
• Assisting in supervising several research assistants: Mr. MO Haoyu (from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), Mr. TIAN Xuecheng (From Wuhan University), Ms. WANG Shuyuan (from Pennsylvania State University), Ms. YU Mengqi (from Jiangxi Normal University), Mr. HOU Zeyu (from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), Ms. LUO Xi (From Wuhan University), Ms. YANG Ying (from Tsinghua University), Mr. LU Zhihao (from Shanghai Maritime University), Mr. CHEN Haoyang (from TU Delft), Mr Chen Jiakang (from Shanghai Jiaotong University).

Openings

As a new faculty in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), recruitments of PhD students, post-docs, research associates, and research assistants are on-going.

PhD Positions

Fully funded PhD positions and some partially/self-financed PhD positions in Maritime Studies are available for January and August intake under the supervision of Dr. Yan in the School of CEE at NTU, Singapore. If you are interested, please send an email to Dr. Yan (ran.yan@ntu.edu.sg) including your CV, transcript, GPA ranking statement, 1-page research statement with subject "PhD application+your name". Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and interviewed.

Potential requirements:

• Meet the PhD admission requirements of NTU and CEE https://www.ntu.edu.sg/education/graduate-programme/cee-phd-programme-(by-research)#additionaiInformation;
• Hold a bachelor's or master's degree (which is highly preferred) from a good university with decent GPA in related subjects such as engineering (e.g., computer engineering, electronics engineering, industrial engineering, marine engineering, transport engineering), science (e.g., computer science, mathematics, operations research, electronics), and business (e.g., economics, management science);
• Strong programming skills, such as Python, C++, Java, Julia, or other competent languages;
• Having research experience in maritime transport, logistics management, machine learning, deep learning, and optimization with research publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals or conferences would be a plus;
• Proficient in written and spoken English.

Postdoctoral researcher positions

Postdoctoral researchers in Maritime Studies are available with flexible start time in the School of CEE at NTU, Singapore. If you are interested, please send an email to Dr. Yan (ran.yan@ntu.edu.sg) including your CV, cover letter, 1-3 pages research proposal, and a list of two or three referees with subject "Post-doc application+your name". Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and interviewed.

Potential requirements:

• Must hold a PhD degree in transport engineering, maritime transport and management, computer science, or a related field from a good university;
• Excellent programming skills, such as Python, C++, Java, Julia, or other competent languages;
• A good record of publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals or conferences in maritime transport, logistics management, machine learning, deep learning, and optimization;
• Proficient in written and spoken English;
• Experience in proposal writing and funding application is a plus.

Representative Projects

Artificial intelligence (AI) for Port State Control (PSC) at the Port of Hong Kong and the Port of Shanghai

Project Page | Project Description | User Manual

Project Page

AI for Ship Arrival Time to Port Analysis and Prediction

Professional services

Member of CEE Seminar Committee (1 March 2024 to 31 January 2025)

Member of CEE Integrated Programme Committee (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2026)

Member of CEE International Engagement Committee (15 May 2024 to 31 March 2026)

Member of MSc Business Management Programme Committee (offered by Faculty of Business, The HK PolyU) in 2022/23

Editorial Board Member of Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, December 2022-present

Editorial Assistant of Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, March 2022-November 2022

Guest editor of special issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation: New Insights from Artificial Intelligence in Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, July 2024

Guest editor of special issue Smarter and greener maritime and shipping logistics in Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, March 2024

Guest editor of special issue Managing Transportation Hubs: Challenges and Best Practices in Maritime Policy & Management, March 2024

Guest editor of special issue Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in Maritime Transport: Operations, Management, and Policy in Maritime Policy & Management, March 2024

Guest editor of special issue Maritime Logistics and Green Shipping in Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, November 2023

Guest editor of special issue Learning based Solution Techniques for Optimization in Logistics and Transportation Systems in Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, June 2023

Guest editor of special issue Innovative Mathematical Methods for Transportation Research in Electronic Research Archive, February 2023

Guest editor of special issue Operations for Sustainable Shipping and Port Management in Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, February 2023

Guest editor of special issue Opportunities and Challenges of Marine Industry in the Post Epidemic Era in Frontiers in Marine Science, February 2023

Guest editor of special issue Data Analytics in Maritime Research in Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, November 2022

Guest editor of special issue Innovative Methods for Multimodal Transport System Operation, Management, and Analysis in Sustainability, June 2022

Guest editor of special issue Intelligence in Urban Transportation in Electronic Research Archive, June 2022

Guest editor of special issue Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Maritime Transport Research in Maritime Transport Research, January 2022

Guest editor of special issue Cleaner Maritime and Air Cargo Logistics and Supply Chain in Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, July 2021

Editorial board member of special issue Transport+Big Data+Machine Learning of Journal of Transportation Engineering and Information, 2021

Session organizer of the 28th Annual Conference of the International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), Hong Kong, 2020

Student helper of the 24th International Conference of Hong Kong Society for Transportation Studies (HKSTS), Hong Kong, 2019

Referees of Transportation Science,Transportation Research Part B, Transportation Research Part E, Transportation Research Part D, Applied Energy, Transport Policy, Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, IISE Transactions, Marine Pollution Bulletin ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems, Part A: Civil Engineering, Journal of Air Transport Management, Travel Behaviour and Society, Ocean Engineering, Applied Ocean Research, Maritime Policy & Management, Expert Systems With Applications, IET Intelligent Transport Systems, Naval Research Logistics, Operational Research, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Transportation Research Record, Electronic Research Archive, GeoInformatica, Communications in Transportation Research, Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, Maritime Transport Research, Journal of Shipping and Trade, IAME conference proceedings, IEEE ITS conference proceedings.