An approach to greener overseas transport chain planning in FVL

Bojan Beškovnik

doi:10.31217/p.35.1.16

Abstract

The article deals with a very topical issue of environmental suitability of complex transport chains. Overseas transport chains in finished vehicle logistics (FVL) consist of a series of transport routes in which they successively combine rail, road and sea transport. It is necessary to know the input parameters and their impact on the operation of FVL, especially with the aim of evaluating the air pollutants produced and the energy efficiency (EE) achieved. The article gives a systematic approach in defining input parameters and their evaluation for efficient green transport chain planning. The applicability of the approach is demonstrated on an ongoing FVL of the export flow of luxury vehicles from Europe to Asian markets. Transport chains from four production sites in Central Europe to two loading ports in Koper and Bremerhaven, and in maritime RO-RO transport to four Asian unloading ports are analyzed. The results of the study show the need for more comprehensive planning of export FVL, including environmental assessment at the planning stage. Significant savings in energy consumption and reduction in GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions can be achieved by shifting cargo flows to the southern transportation route. The article enriches the current research on sustainable operation of FVL and provides applied results for infrastructural adaptation of the southern transport route.

Highlights

Transport chains in finished vehicle logistics (FVL) are becoming increasingly complex
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are highly dependent on the transport route, the type of transport means and their use
The comparison of CO2 emissions per car via Bremerhaven and Koper after each transport leg shows a significant difference in rail transport, if the same input parameters are considered

Summary

Introduction

Transport chains in finished vehicle logistics (FVL) are becoming increasingly complex. Vehicle manufacturers are merging, combining production platforms for different vehicle models, and seeking cost efficiencies in component and final vehicle logistics. In this context, it is important to optimize the operation of complex transportation chains that rely on efficient multimodality (Zeng et al, 2013). In addition to time and cost optimization, the environmental elements of transportation chain optimization are coming to the fore. The trend is to reduce carbon footprint and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as well as energy efficiency (EE), with end-vehicle logistics being the most environmentally critical process in the automotive industry (Nieuwenhuis et al, 2012), the assembly supply chain process in automotive logistics is very complex and environmentally damaging (Nakamichi et al, 2016; Masoumi et al, 2019)

Results

Discussion

Conclusion