Improving resilience in an intermodal transport network via bulk cargo transport coordination and empty container repositioning

Abstract

Commodities are usually transported in bulk and are associated with the risk of environmental pollution and cargo loss during intermodal transportation. This study discusses the containerization of bulk cargo with the coordination of bulk cargo transport and empty container repositioning. In such a transport network, a bulk cargo transportation company can use empty containers to load and deliver bulk cargo. We proposed models to analyze the optimal decisions regarding the number of leased empty containers under uncertain demand. We discussed three business modes to demonstrate the financial and resilience performance of bulk cargo containerization and supply chain coordination. Our results show that the trip-sharing mode can significantly increase the amount of bulk cargo containerization by reducing the transportation cost of empty containers that need to be repositioned. This model can help bulk cargo logistics companies determine the optimal number of released containers by considering profits and risk control. This study also sheds light on ways to promote supply chain resilience by incentivizing containerization and trip sharing.