Evaluating value creating factors in greening the transportation of Global Maritime Supply Chains (GMSCs) of containerized freight

Abstract

In the Global Maritime Supply Chains (GMSCs), sustainable development and growth of containerized freight (cargo stuffed in maritime containers for transportation) transport system and container port/terminal business have attracted attention of regional governments, financial institutions and regulatory bodies across the globe. Particularly, growing worries about the unpropitious impacts on the environment caused by containerized freight transport industry. The industry has contributed immensely in growth and expansion of global trade and therefore increased trade promises sustainable growth of global port and shipping activities. Competition in liner shipping industry has shrunk profits of the carriers while struggling to grab more market share, which has led them to work upon creating value to the customers in order to gain edge over others. Therefore, this study is conducted from business perspective that how the global container shipping sector can create value to its customers and stakeholders and also go tandem with environmental aspect. The objective of the study is to identify and examine the value creating factors and sub-factors of GMSCs of containerized freight. Data on value creating factors is collected by consulting 57 ports and shipping industry experts globally. We propose FAHP (Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process) framework for evaluating these value creating factors and develop this study which will not just help carriers but also the stakeholders in the containerized freight transport industry to measure their competitive edge over rivals. This study concludes with sensitivity analysis, results and discussions, managerial and practical implications of the conceptual framework.