Containerisierung und Globalisierung – Restrukturierung der maritimen Logistikkette

Abstract

Containerisation of maritime transport and globalization. Restructuring of the logistics chain. Standardized containers which are designed to meet the particular needs of different goods turn heterogeneous cargo into homogeneous unit loads which can easily be moved and stacked. Thus for transport handling containers provide opportunities for automation and economies of scale. In the past the transport chain from sender to recipient has been characterized by a sequence of single-transit shipments with interim storage. Nowadays goods shipped in containers can be reloaded to different means of transportation and are transported to their destination under a single through-rate in less time. Planning and control of intermodal transport can be done door-to-door in an integrated full-service approach. The transformation from manual to industrialized transport handling provides opportunities for staff savings, however, it requires considerable investments in different vehicles, containers, equipment and software for operations. Customers benefit from efficiency gains in form of lower shipment prices. This article analyzes the impact of containerisation on liner shipping, harbours and transport in the hinterland as the key elements of the maritime logistics chain. The discussion outlines the topic in the context of globalisation and changing contours of the global economic map.