Abstract
The contemporary supply chains in which container ports logistics operate are characterized by increased uncertainties driven by a range of factors such as socioeconomic factors and changing supply chain strategies in response to market dynamics. Recently, the occurrences and effects of these factors on global economic activities, and thus container port logistics, have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Enabling flexibility in port logistics is more important than ever to navigate uncertainties, now and in the post-COVID-19 world. This paper seeks to develop a conceptual framework to holistically capture different dimensions of container port logistics capacity. A systematic literature review method is employed to formulate a conceptual framework depicting the structure of various elements of capacity and the interplay among the logistics triad of transport carriers, port operators, and logistics service providers whose interactions and service capacities constitute the overall capacity of the system. The study reveals four dimensions of port logistics capacity, namely seaside interface, platform, landside interface, and system-wide, each of which consists of subelements that can be distinguished into static or adjustable. The proposed framework provides insights corresponding to the logistics triad roles and interactions within the system for understanding uncertainty characteristics, assessing various elements of capacity, and identifying potential levers to build flexibility into these interrelated capacity elements.
Highlights
During the last two decades, the synergy between globalization and advanced information and communication technology has significantly changed the dynamics of the world’s marketplace
Agility in the context of this paper can be seen as the ability of the logistics triad to respond rapidly to external turbulence, while flexibility can be seen as a key element of agility that pertains to the logistics triad’s ability to adjust their assets and operations to different service types and volumes
Viewed through the lens of the capacity framework described above and illustrated in Fig. 1, we can observe capacity uncertainties that arise in the four capacity dimensions and systematically classify flexibility strategies employed in the corresponding dimensions by the port logistics triads
Summary
During the last two decades, the synergy between globalization and advanced information and communication technology has significantly changed the dynamics of the world’s marketplace. A range of factors contributes to such a phenomenon, ranging from socioeconomic factors (e.g., changing consumer demographics and rising trade protectionism) to changing supply chain strategies in response to market dynamics (e.g., near-shoring practices, supply base diversification, and adaptive transportation) While these factors played a part in the increased uncertainties long before the COVID-19 outbreak, their occurrences and effects on global economic activity, and container port logistics systems, have been intensified by the pandemic. The rest of the paper presents the theoretical basis of supply chain uncertainty and flexibility, a research methodology narrative, the resulting conceptual framework with detailed explanation of capacity structure and elements, observations of uncertainties and flexibility strategies from literature, and conclusions and future research recommendations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
