A Methodology to Assess Vessel Berthing and Speed Optimization Policies
By: J Fernando Alvareza; Tore Longvaa; Erna S Engebrethsena
Publication: Maritime Economics & Logistics, Vol. 12: No. 4
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Ltd., 2010
ISSN: 1479-2931
Length: 20 pages (327-346)
Type: e-Journal
Abstract:
Standard ocean shipping contracts stipulate that a chartered vessel must sail at ‘utmost despatch’, with no consideration for the availability of berths at the destination port. The berthing policies used at many ports, which admit vessels on a first-come, first-served basis, provide an additional incentive for the master to sail at full speed. These legacy contracts and berthing policies constitute a major driver of harbour congestion and marine fuel consumption, with adverse economic, safety, and environmental consequences.
Containerisation, Box Logistics and Global Supply Chains: The Integration of Ports and Liner Shipping Networks
By: Theo Notteboom; Jean-Paul Rodrigue
Publication: Maritime Economics & Logistics, Vol. 10: No. 1-2
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Ltd., 2008
ISSN: 1479-2931
Length: 23 pages (152-174)
Type: e-Journal
Abstract:
In 2006, container shipping celebrated its 50th anniversary as an innovation that had a tremendous impact on the geography of production and distribution. Production became globalised by a better usage of comparative advantages while distribution systems were able to interact more efficiently. This paper analyses the mounting pressures on box logistics in light of global supply chains. It will be demonstrated that the basic principle of containerisation remained the same notwithstanding scale increases in vessels and terminals and a clear productivity increase in container handling. Although the container was an innovation initially applied for maritime transportation, the emergence of global supply chains has placed intense pressures to implement containerisation over inland freight distribution systems.
Coordination in Hinterland Transport Chains: A Major Challenge for the Seaport Community
By: Martijn R Van Der Horst; Peter W De Langen
Publication: Maritime Economics & Logistics, Vol. 10: No. 1-2
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Ltd., 2008
ISSN: 1479-2931
Length: 22 pages (108-129)
Type: e-Journal
Abstract:
Many different private companies – shipping lines, terminal operating companies, forwarders, hinterland transport providers, and inland terminal operators – are involved in hinterland transport. In addition, different public actors such as the port authority, customs, and infrastructure managers are involved. Creating effective hinterland transport chains requires the coordination between all these actors; coordination does not come about spontaneously. Its development may be hindered by free-riding problems, a lack of contractual relationships, information asymmetry, and a lack of incentives for cooperation. This paper presents analyses of the coordination problems in hinterland chains of seaports and arrangements to resolve these problems. The most relevant coordination problems in hinterland chains are discussed. Based on insights from institutional economics, four main categories of arrangements to improve coordination are identified: the introduction of incentives, the creation of an interfirm alliance, changing the scope of the organisation, and collective action.
Joint Routing and Deployment of a Fleet of Container Vessels
By: José Fernando Álvarez
Publication: Maritime Economics & Logistics, Vol. 11: No. 2
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Ltd., 2009
ISSN: 1479-2931
Length: 23 pages (186-208)
Type: e-Journal
Abstract:
Liner companies face a complex problem in determining the optimal routing and deployment of a fleet of container vessels. This paper presents a model and an algorithm to address the two problems jointly. The model captures the revenues and operating expenses of a global liner company, and allows for the representation of vessel types with different cost and operating properties, transhipment hubs and associated costs, port delays, regional trade imbalances and the possibility of rejecting transportation demand selectively. Benchmark tests demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves good solutions quickly. The proposed algorithm is applied in a case study with 120 ports of call distributed throughout the globe. The case study explores the sensitivity of optimal fleet deployment and routing to varying bunker costs.
Liner Shipping Connectivity and Port Infrastructure as Determinants of Freight Rates in the Caribbean
By: Gordon Wilmsmeier; Jan Hoffmann
Publication: Maritime Economics & Logistics, Vol. 10: No. 1-2
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Ltd., 2008
ISSN: 1479-2931
Length: 22 pages (130-151)
Type: e-Journal
Abstract:
The Caribbean basin lies at the cross roads of major east-west and north-south liner shipping routes. A number of regional ports have been able to take advantage of their geographical position. In other ports, however, the limited scale of hinterlands and the de facto monopolistic situation of ports in Small Island States have had a detrimental effect on port development. Port infrastructure endowment varies between highly equipped global transhipment hubs and rudimentary ports with wooden quays. By the same token, the supply of regular shipping services ranges between highly interconnected routes on the one side, and Small Island States that are heavily dependent on a few limited feeder services on the other. At the same time, freight rates in the region dispose of a high variability. The paper analyses the impacts of port infrastructure and liner shipping connectivity on intra-Caribbean freight rates.