46 research outputs found

    Assessing the eco-efficiency benefits of empty container repositioning strategies via dry ports

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    Trade imbalances and global disturbances generate mismatches in the supply and demand of empty containers (ECs) that elevate the need for empty container repositioning (ECR). This research investigated dry ports as a potential means to minimize EC movements, and thus reduce costs and emissions. We assessed the environmental and economic effects of two ECR strategies via dry ports—street turns and extended free temporary storage—considering different scenarios of collaboration between shipping lines with different levels of container substitution. A multiparadigm simulation combined agent-based and discrete-event modelling to represent flows and estimate kilometers travelled, CO2 emissions, and costs resulting from combinations of ECR strategies and scenarios. Full ownership container substitution combined with extended free temporary storage at the dry port (FTDP) most improved ECR metrics, despite implementation challenges. Our results may be instrumental in increasing shipping lines’ collaboration while reducing environmental impacts in up to 32 % of the inland ECR emissions

    An evaluation of energy consumption and emissions from intermodal freight operations on the eastern seaboard: A GIS network analysis approach

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    As global trade continues to increase, the energy and environmental impacts of freight movement in the US have become more of a concern. As such, the freight transport system needs to consider opportunities to meet customer objectives, while also meeting social goals. In the US there has been legislation enacted to address the growing impact that freight movement has on the environment, but there are limited tools to assist in the implementation of those polices. This research sets forth a process for creating a geospatial intermodal freight transportation (GIFT) model within ArcGIS that can be used to analyze freight movement under different economic and environmental scenarios. The GIFT model uses an intermodal network that connects various modes (rail, truck, and ship) via intermodal terminals. ArcGIS Network Analyst is used to create the intermodal network and conduct optimal route analysis for various network attributes. Routes along the network are characterized not only by temporal and distance attributes, but also by cost, energy, and emissions attributes. Decision makers can use the model to explore tradeoffs among alternative route selection across different modal combinations, and to identify optimal routes for objectives that feature energy and environmental parameters (e.g., least carbon dioxide intensive route). The research illustrates the use of this network using a case study that analyzes freight traffic along the US Eastern Seaboard

    Container Hinterland Drayage - On the Simultaneous Transportation of Containers Having Different Sizes

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    In an intermodal transportation chain drayage is the term used for the movement by truck of cargo that is filled in a loading unit. The most important intermodal transportation chain is the intermodal container transportation, in which containers represent the loading unit for cargo. Cost effectiveness constitutes a general problem of drayage operations. A major cost driver within container transportation chains is the movement and repositioning of empty containers. The present thesis investigates the potential to reduce drayage costs. Two solution methodologies are developed for operating a fleet of trucks that transports containers of different sizes, which addresses a recent gap in research in seaport hinterland regions

    Exploring congestion impact beyond the bulk cargo terminal gate

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    Bulk cargo terminal congestion management, approaches have tended to bealmost exclusively focused on the sea side of bulk terminals. To-date there hasbeen very limited work on land-side approaches to mitigate congestion in bulkterminals. This research aims to address these gaps by considering the effectivenessof multiple congestion management methods across a range of throughputscenarios. This paper develops a discrete event simulation model based on datacollected from an Australian bulk wood chip export maritime terminal and analysesthe effect of infrastructure and process improvements on gate congestionand hinterland logistics chains. The improvements include: variations of terminalconfigurations, a terminal appointment system and gate automation technology.This paper argues that traditional efficiency and utilization measures fail to capturethe impact of these alternatives over the whole hinterland logistics chain.Results indicate that the gate automation technology and the introduction ofan appointment system can reduce average turnaround times by approximately20%. Interestingly additional unloading capacity has a relatively small influence(<10%) on the average turnaround time under the initial truck arrival frequency.Significantly, findings highlight how the range of alternatives that improve efficiencyand utilization can be impaired when organizations do not plan andnegotiate impacts with other terminal users along the hinterland logistics chain.The impact of these alternatives needs to be evaluated in the broader hinterlandperspective to enhance stakeholder ’buy-in’ and resilience over time of solutionsimplemented

    Maritime Commerce in Greater Philadelphia: Assessing Industry Trends and Growth Opportunities for Delaware River Ports

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    Maritime Commerce in Greater Philadelphia: Assessing Industry Trends and Growth Opportunities for Delaware River Ports is an evaluation of existing port conditions along the Delaware River and market-driven opportunities for expansion. The report includes an economic impact analysis, Delaware River port descriptions, global trends, and recommended strategies for ports growth. Key findings include:Region-wide port activity generates 69millionintaxrevenuesforstategovernmentsacrossGreaterPhiladelphiaandmorethan69 million in tax revenues for state governments across Greater Philadelphia and more than 11 million in Philadelphia Wage Tax revenues.Each on-site port job supports two jobs from port activity and employee spending. Total regional port-related employment is 12,000+ jobs.Delaware River ports import nearly 1/2 of the nation's cocoa beans, almost 1/3 of the bananas, and a 1/4 of all fruit and nuts.Growing maritime commerce in Greater Philadelphia will require collaboration among Delaware River ports to leverage existing strengths and strategically invest in regional infrastructure improvements

    Impact of COVID-19 on port terminal performance in the United States of America

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