Green Maritime Logistics:The Quest for Win-win Solutions

By green maritime logistics we mean achieving an acceptable environmental performance of the maritime transport logistical supply chain while at the same time respecting traditional economic criteria. In this paper the environmental focus is on maritime emissions. Achieving such goal may involve several trade-offs, and win-win solutions are typically sought. However, finding these solutions may be more difficult than may appear at first glance. The purpose of this paper is to provide a concise overview of the challenges of green maritime logistics and present some examples, both for greenhouse gas (GHG) and non-GHG emissions

Regional impact of port and transport policies - the Ecuador case.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. Thesis. 1972. M.C.P.Leaf number 29 used twice.Includes bibliographical references.M.C.P

The effectiveness and economic impact of enhancing container security

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Ocean Engineering, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-101).Over the past few decades, international containerized shipping has evolved to become the main artery of global trade, providing both convenient and inexpensive access to goods from markets around the world. Yet the very size and efficiencies that have made container shipping such an attractive means of transport have also created a system that is highly vulnerable to terrorist exploitation. This paper outlines the current initiatives taken by both the public and private sector to address the security vulnerabilities in the container industry. The solution targets three main areas for, security: documentation/information, physical security, and inspections. The technology utilized to improve the physical security of the container can also be used to track shipments and secure the container from pilferage. This generates a win-win relationship between enhancing container security while improving supply chain information and control. An economic model is used to demonstrate the cost savings and cost avoidance from the information and control provided by security technologies. The savings to shippers more than offsets the cost of implementing these technologies. This is a valuable approach to solving the problem of container security because it concurrently provides incentive to the private sector and protects global interests.by Eric L. Dresser.S.M

USAF Aircraft Maintenance Officer Knowledge, Skills and Abilities and Commonalities among the Logistics Officer Corps

This study investigated options to improve 21A training and education by first validating the Air Force\u27s logistics mission sets as Deployment, Distribution, Supply Management, Repair Network Integration, Mission Generation, Lifecycle Logistics and Joint Logistics. Then, the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) considered important to execute each mission set were gathered from a representative sample of Air Force Logistics Officers via field interviews and focus groups. An analysis of results categorizes probable needs (high, medium, low) of KSAs for each mission set and assesses how well they are currently taught, if at all. Additionally, lists of KSAs that overlap multiple mission sets were created along with process options for integrating them into training and education. Based on a discussion of the synergistic effects on acquiring these KSAs, it is also recommended that the Logistics Readiness Squadron be realigned under a common group at the operational wing with the rest of the Logistics Units (presently the Maintenance Group). Finally, a career tracking model is proposed to deliberately build experts in strategic 21A career paths, which this study identifies as Career Maintenance Officers, Air Force Materiel Managers and Joint Logistics Officers

Evolving a global armaments logistics strategy

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2009.Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-56).Few companies globally source and manage commercial transportation for frequent and high volumes of explosive cargo for the U. S. Department of Defense. U.S. regulations are strict and economically competitive options are limited. The challenge is even more problematic when the company has not developed an internal capability to efficiently manage logistics transportation. Companies view logistics and supply chain management as crucial to their overall success, though most do not claim it as a core competency. Instead, companies often outsource logistics operations and management to 3rd Party Logistics and other transportation solution providers. This paper explores how a company dealing with frequent shipments of explosive, Department of Defense cargo need not fully outsource logistics operations and management. Rather this paper shows how a company can quickly and cost-effectively improve their internal logistics capability while utilizing the benefits of logistics outsourcing. It is imperative that a company evolving its logistics capability maintain flexibility yet realize the advances in the transportation outsourcing industry. This research is distinctive in that it provides a case study of an organization that utilizes global partners supplying the U.S. Government in substantial volumes and must operate within the confines of hazardous goods regulations and archaic United States Department of Defense shipping regulations.by Nathan Peck.S.M.M.B.A

An Evaluation of the U.S. Coast Guard Waterfront Facility Inspection Program

Government agencies use program evaluations as a means for improving and justifying the existence of programs. This evaluation will be used to improve the Coast Guard waterfront facility inspection program. This evaluation was deemed necessary by the program manager upon recognition that program guidance was too limited and failed to reflect the current program roles and missions stated in the Port Safety and Security Operating Program Plan. The outputs desired from this evaluation were recommendations which could be used in developing program policies, guidance and standards and a recommendation on the feasibility of using this evaluation methodology for future Coast Guard program evaluations. In conducting this evaluation, past program evaluations were examined; current program policies, guidance and standards were reviewed; and selected program field participants were interviewed and observed. These findings conclude that: the waterfront facility program is a low priority Coast Guard program; there are no outside agencies able or willing to assist the Coast Guard in implementing the waterfront facility inspection program; lack of specificity makes 33 CFR 126 difficult to enforce at liquid bulk chemical and intermodal container facilities; and there are no output measures for the waterfront facility program. The methodology used in this evaluation was adequate but it should be slightly modified before using it to evaluate other Coast Guard programs. Based on the research findings, recommendations were made to change some federal regulations and portions of the waterfront facility program. The most important program recommendation of this evaluation was to establish program output measures. Without output measures, it is impossible to measure the effectiveness of a program, thus, it is difficult to justify its existence.Master of Science in Public Healt

New Orleans Metropolitan Inland Waterway Container Transport (IWCT) Feasibility Study

The continued growth in freight movements within the U.S land transportation network has reached a point where alternative means of augmenting its capacity should be investigated. Market demand factors such as door-to-door and just-in-time delivery have contributed to the strong growth in both road and rail transport sectors. This heavy reliance on ground transport has resulted in increased traffic congestion, worsened bottlenecks throughout the network, road deterioration, air pollution, highway accidents, and fuel consumption. The integration of the inland waterway network into our current intermodal transportation system could serve as an alternative to long haul freight movements and alleviate some of these negative impacts. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) have recently placed new importance on shifting freight movements, particularly containers, to the nation’s waterways by creating a priority federal program: North American Marine Highways. MARAD hopes to demonstrate that the nation’s inland waterways can serve as an additional transportation system to landside modes for container transport to relieve congestion and reduce demand on landside intermodal connectors and highway infrastructure. This study has analyzed successful Inland Waterway Container Transport (IWCT) systems in Europe and in select U.S. locations. Further, it assessed the feasibility of IWCT within the Mississippi River trade corridor. The study addresses the potential benefits of IWCT in the US as identified in the literature review, the challenges and limiting factors which have inhibited its development to date, and examines the differences between IWCT development in the US (negligible) and in Europe, where IWCT is a small but rapidly growing and successful sector of certain freight networks. Based on the analysis and findings, the study concludes that IWCT has sufficient landside infrastructure in place or pending to resume service almost immediately. The major hurdles are all market related: unbalanced trade flows; insufficient north bound containers; the absence of a “Multi-Port Complex” with a 1M TEU annual capacity. The project concludes with policies and programs that seek to guide future investment decision-making by the Regional Planning Commission (the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the New Orleans region) as well as the Louisiana legislature and other state departments. The study also highlights the resiliency factors associated with inland waterway transportation at local, state and national levels