Synchromodality as a prospective digitalization scheme for freight logistics : a pre-study report

The proliferation of digital technologies presents a potential avenue to transform the freight logistics industry by streamlining the information flow, increasing the flexibility of transportation routes, and creating a more effective and efficient freight logistics system. In an endeavor to gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s needs/challenges and to formulate a proficient policy framework to address them, a pre-study was undertaken at the World Maritime University (WMU). This scholarly exploration centered on the concept of synchromodality, which involves the harmonization of different freight logistics modalities. The study delineates a working definition of synchromodality within the context of freight logistics. Furthermore, it proffers a Synchromodality Maturity Model designed to evaluate the digitalization progress of stakeholders in the industry. This assessment is supported by case investigations into Roll-on/Roll-off logistics in Sweden. Working Definition: Synchromodality is an operational concept applicable to freight logistics for the purpose of adding value to customers by organizing and utilizing resources in an effective and efficient way, that can be achieved through facilitating integration amongst stakeholders along the logistics chain and enhancing their operational visibility and flexibility. The outcomes of this study carry noteworthy implications for both policy formulation and industrial implementation. The study advocates that policymakers allocate considerable resources to invest in digital infrastructure and establish standardized data protocols to foster collaborative partnerships. Moreover, logistics service providers are encouraged to pivot their strategies on generating customer value, nurturing collaborative ecosystems, and enhancing human capital in the context of data-centric methodologies. It is postulated that synchromodality could increase operational efficiency through optimal utilization of transportation resources, improve environmental sustainability, and enhance customer satisfaction. Exploring future studies in this area is required to achieve synchromodality in practice, such as: Towards enhancing digital infrastructure for greater freight logistics services Towards striving for seamless integration of all stakeholders in freight logistics chains Towards facilitating technology adoption in the freight logistics network This pre-study project was funded by Trafikverket and was supported by various logistics companies, shippers, and academic organizations.https://commons.wmu.se/lib_reports/1092/thumbnail.jp

Visibility in multimodal maritime container transport chains - Logistics service providers' perspective

Nowadays, transparency and digitalization of actions in the whole supply chain are emphasized and firms are demanding visibility to better forecast, plan and control the flow of goods. The expectations towards fully real-time traceable cargo flow are high and logistics service providers are recommended to digitize their actions to stay in the highly competitive freight transport markets. When it comes to technology, it has been developed rapidly and can provide very sophisticated solutions to enhance visibility. Information flow is a key for visibility. Therefore, information and communication technology (ICT) is vital to enhance visibility. However, technology alone does not enable visibility. It requires collaboration with other involved actors in the transport chain. Multimodal maritime container transport chains are complex in a sense that they require deep collaboration in a form of IT-compatibility with vast number of players involved within the carriage of goods to enhance seamless and automatized exchange of information. It has been disclosed that the biggest logistics service providers have already been able to form such collaborative relationships with big shipping lines, for instance. Also, market leaders usually arrange the pre- and end-haulage of the transport with own assets and therefore information flow is advanced. However, freight transport industry is highly fragmented and majorly consists of small-sized firms. Margins in the freight transport markets are extremely low as customers do not see added value in freight transportation and therefore transportation is seen as an extra harmful cost for firms. Therefore, the idea of big IT-investments and integration of actions with other players is infeasible for some companies. In this study, visibility in multimodal maritime container transport chains is investigated in a wide sense by conducting semi-structured interviews among different-sized logistics service providers located in Finland. First, the current adoption of visibility is studied, the benefits of it are discussed and the barriers to adopt visibility are discussed. Furthermore, perceptions towards the importance of visibility as a service offering in the creation of competitive strategies are investigated

Ecosystem Approach to the Formation of Goods Express Delivery Supply Chains in Aviation Logistics

The article shows that in the context of accelerating the processes of economic integration in aviation logistics at the micro, meso and macro levels, complicating the forms of business organization, the emergence of new forms of cooperation between companies and new ways of jointly creating added value, many organizational boundaries in the economy are becoming more blurred and dynamic. The use of the concept of "ecosystem" in research is growing. An attempt is made to consider the possibility of using the “ecosystem” design for economic analysis at the aggregated level and to highlight the elements of the aviation logistics ecosystem on which the attention of researchers will be focused. From the authors point of view, the aviation logistics ecosystem is a combination of aviation, logistics, transport and postal organizations, were provide goods express delivery supply chains with system of interconnected technologies use. In the framework of article analysis of air cargo industry framework, synchronization and digitization of service operations in air cargo service supply chain, express delivery supply chains were represented. The authors proposed a mathematical model that allows logisticians to optimize the supply chain of special categories of goods, which is one of the priority tasks of the aviation logistics ecosystem

International Air Cargo in Time of Crisis: Global Challenges and Modal Shift Provide Transformational Opportunity in Commerce and Law

The current pandemic has elevated the critical need for a dependable, resilient, air cargo supply chain to the forefront of commercial and legal discussion. Throughout its history, air cargo has evolved in parallel with other unimodal means of cargo transport into a global multimodal transport paradigm. The unimodal legal regimes governing individual modes of cargo transport have not kept pace with the growth and development of global cargo transport and its associated legal issues. The unimodal regimes do not adequately reflect the relational, commercial, and operational realities of the contemporary global multimodal supply chain. The authors identify key changes in air cargo and multimodal supply chain logistics and relationships, and discuss the resulting contemporary legal issues that have emerged and must be addressed. The authors advocate that a multimodal cargo transport regime is needed to reflect these current realities and to accommodate future multimodal evolution. At a minimum, update and integration of the Warsaw, Montreal, and CMR conventions is indicated. The authors emphasize the essential need for continued integration of new technologies and complete digitalization of the air cargo supply chain in order adequately to prepare for the global multimodal cargo transport paradigm of tomorrow

WiderMoS, a new way to make better business by using the EU core network corridors and smart logistics

In December 2013, the new European transport infrastructure policy has been launched through the adoption of the new TEN-T (Trans European Transport Network) guidelines, and throughout to the “Connecting Europe Facility” as the related funding instruments. The previous TEN-T regulation achieved certain successes in cross border infrastructure. However, the revision is necessary for the development of the internal market and to allow the achievement of the Europe 2020 objectives (reduction of CO2, removing bottlenecks from transport chains that limit the smooth functioning of the European internal market and the regular flows of passengers and goods, etc.), translated as a more sustainable, green, efficient energy, safe and secure EU Transport. In order to support the implementation of the Core network Corridors, the new Regulation contains specific tools: Corridors and Coordinators. The corridors will allow bringing together all relevant stakeholders (such as Member States, regions, local authorities, infrastructure managers, port authorities, and users) under the leadership of a European coordinator and concentrate on cross border sections, intermodality and interoperability. The TENT revision aims to establish and develop an integrated trans-European transport network which covers the infrastructure for all transport modes, ensures the functioning of the internal market and strengthens economic and social cohesion. This paper introduces the WiderMoS project, an initiative promoted by the TEN-T program through the INEA “Innovation and Network Executive Agency”, and developed by 5 EU countries and 16 institutions leaded by La Spezia Port Authority, which will meet interoperability among some of the nine Priority Core Network Corridors, from west Mediterranean countries to central – north Europe, promoting the integration of transport infrastructures (port, road and rail), information structures (info-structures: Port Community Systems and Single Window Services) and transport actors, from a Business to Business (B2B) point of view, in a private – public action. The main outcomes of the project are to efficiently and commercially exploit the corridors drawn by the TEN-T making European economy more competitive, efficient and smart.Postprint (published version

Розробка моделі процесу доставки вантажів у міжнародному сполученні

In the conditions of growing level of competition and transportation volumes, the task of the assessment of demand parameters impact on carriers expenses becomes particular important when choosing the optimal technological schemes. At the same time the random nature of the transportation process and the limitations imposed by existing laws and acts regulating international road transport should be taken into account in the mathematical model. Existing methods of rationalization of cargo delivery process have some disadvantages due to which their use in the conditions of transport enterprises at the contemporary market is inefficient. The majority of existing methods and models for rationalization of the delivery schemes do not consider the probabilistic characteristics of transport process parameters, and that reduces the efficiency of managerial and organizational decisions. The proposed mathematical models allow us to take into account the random nature of the process of international cargo delivery, if the appropriate statistical data on time parameters and speed of the vehicle are available. Proposed approach allows defining the impact of stochastic demand parameters on operating costs of the transport firm and, as a result, – choosing the appropriate rational schemes of transport servicing.Предложена математическая модель процесса доставки грузов в международном сообщении, основой которой является модель марковских цепей. Рассмотрены модели базисных систем поставки, используемые на автомобильном транспорте. На базе разработанных математических моделей проведен имитационный эксперимент. На основании регрессионного анализа результатов имитационного эксперимента определены зависимости затрат на доставку грузов от параметров спроса на перевозку.Запропонована математична модель процесу доставки вантажів у міжнародному сполученні, основою якої є модель марківських ланцюгів. Розглянуті моделі базисних систем поставки, що використовуються на автомобільному транспорті. На базі створених математичних моделей проведений імітаційний експеримент. На підставі регресійного аналізу результатів імітаційного експерименту визначені залежності витрат на доставку вантажів від параметрів попиту на перевезення

Reefer logistics and cool chain transport

Reefer logistics is an important part of the cool chain in which reefer containers are involved as the packaging for transporting perishable goods. Reefer logistics is challenging, as it deals with cost and time constraints as well as the product quality and sustainability requirements. In many situations, there is a trade-off between these factors (e.g., between transportation time and the quality of fresh products). Furthermore, considering the high value of reefers, the efficient logistics of is as important as the efficient cargo flows. This causes technical complications and the conflict of interests between actors, especially, between cargo owners (or shippers) and the asset owners (or transport/terminal operators). Improving the efficiency of reefer logistics calls for a thorough understanding of the trade-offs and complexities. This paper aims to help develop such an understanding using a systematic literature review and a socio-technical system analysis. The results can be used to provide managerial insights for actors involved in a cool chain to design tailored solutions for reefer

Proposal for Management and Control of Intermodal Containers Using Monte Carlo Simulation

When examining the increased attention in freight transportation, a necessity for sustainable and efficient transportation system appears. The presence of road and traffic complications as well as environmental concerns forces us to develop or adapt an alternative operational system that allows us to overcome these issues. Moreover, the escalation in fuel prices in addition to driver issues for road-only haulage forms an unprofitable and unreliable approach. In this on-going MBA project, container management issues are addressed. A number of delays and their casuals are discussed and analysed. Moreover a Monte Carlo simulation framework is proposed to be used to analyse the interaction of different loading and unloading resources and containers within intermodal container management