The calculation formula for the number of mud barges in Construction Code for Dredging and Reclamation Works has limitations.Different mud barges with different performance parameters and loading sequences in dredging engineering have different impacts on the time availability of the main ship and the waiting time of the mud barges.We introduce the concepts of the operation network circuit diagram and bar chart of the mud barge system，and establish a mathematical model for the operation of the mud barge system on this basis.We introduce the evaluation indicators of the accumulated dead time of the main ship and the accumulated dead time of the mud barge，propose an optimization method for the mud barge configuration and loading plan of the main ship with one or two sides berthing，and verify the model and optimization method through examples.The results show that the optimization of the mud barge loading sequence is achieved for the established mud barge fleet.For the proposed mud barge system，the optimal configuration plan and initial loading sequence optimization of the mud barge are achieved.