Container Carrier Research Articles

Container Inventory Management: Factors Influencing Container Interchange

Efficient and effective management of empty containers and empty container repositioning is an important issue in the liner shipping industry. Many alliance agreements of carriers have provisions to interchange containers but not practiced in real life scenario. It is hard to find any previous literature on container exchange except the technical details of alliance agreements. The researchers reiterate the conditions provided in carriers’ alliance agreements to interchange containers and in principle recommend container interchange as an efficient and effective container inventory management mechanism. Accordingly, the research attempts to find the factors that influence container interchange between carriers. The research was conducted in Sri Lanka. Researchers believe that the sample is adequate because 16 container carriers in the world top 20 list presently call port of Colombo in Sri Lanka. A series of interviews followed by a questionnaire survey have been carried out and data were analysed mainly using Chi-Square Tests. This would lead to understand the critical factors that influence container exchange and thereby develop efficient, sustainable and effective mechanism for container inventory management through container interchange. The study concluded that five factors namely, operational, legal, branding, benefits, and feasibility may influence the container interchange by carriers. There were two limitations noted in the research; the reluctance to provide information pertaining to container inventory by carriers; and the common dislike of carriers to participate in surveys due to their busy work schedules. These findings would help practitioners to expedite the process of developing a user-friendly container interchange system. In addition, this research will fill the serious gap in the present literature on container exchange and provide an incentive to further research on this topic. The container imbalance is a global issue and finding an efficient and effective solution is vital.

Assessment of differences in efficiency across strategic groups in the container shipping context: a data envelopment analysis

This study examines differences in efficiency across strategic groups in the container shipping context using data envelopment analysis of secondary data collected from 17 global container carriers. Global container carriers were classified based on strategic variables such as fleet capacity, asset/debt ratio, owned/chartered-in fleet ratio, non-container revenue ratio, and revenue. Four strategic groups were identified, namely: proactive-prudent, proactive-chance, conservative-prudent and conservative-chance. DEA results indicated significant differences in efficiency across the four strategic groups. The proactive-prudent group had significantly a higher fleet capacity, lower leverage and higher efficiency than the other strategic groups. Theoretical and managerial implications of the research findings are discussed to improve container carriers' operational efficiency.

集合組織を活用したメガコンテナ船用超極厚高アレストYP460 N/mm<sup>2</sup>級鋼の開発

集合組織を活用したメガコンテナ船用超極厚高アレストYP460 N/mm<sup>2</sup>級鋼の開発

English

The objective of this study is to identify the most influential factors that affect choice of ocean container carrier by freight forwarders. It identifies the most influential factors considered by them when selecting ocean container carriers by analysing data collected from a survey of 105 freight forwarding organisations in Ghana. Exploratory factor analysis is used to identify the underlying factors which influence the selection of carrier. The findings of the study indicate that service quality, document accuracy, freight rates, environmental issues, schedule reliability and quick handling are the most influential factors that guide freight forwarders when purchasing liner shipping service. This study provides a better understanding of these influential factors from the perspective of the freight forwarders themselves. The findings are important to ocean container carriers since they can enable liner shipping companies to channel resources appropriately in response to factors which are identified as determining freight forwarder carrier selection. Key word: Freight forwarders, ocean container carriers, carrier selection factors.

Parametric study on ship’s exhaust-gas behavior using computational fluid dynamics

ABSTRACTThe influence of design parameters related to a ship’s exhaust-gas behavior was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for an 8,000 TEU container carrier. To verify the numerical methods, the results were studied by comparing with experimental results. Several test conditions, i.e. various load conditions of ship, wind angle, deckhouse breadth, radar mast height, and exhaust-pipe height and shape were considered for a ship’s exhaust gas flow around the 8,000 TEU container carrier. The influence of the design parameters on contamination by the exhaust gas was quantified, after which the principal parameters to avoid contamination were selected. Finally, the design guideline of yP/H = 2 was suggested to avoid the contamination from the ship’s exhaust gas using the CFD results, model tests, and sea trials.

Competitiveness of the Liner Operators: Methodological Issues and Implications

In the 21st century, ocean container carriers are facing high competition in cargo volume attraction and retention from their business to business customers. The main focus of this study is on the methodological issues in the analysis of shipping lines’ competitiveness. A system review of the literature is conducted in three stages to identify the key factors influential to the competitiveness of liner shipping companies. An initial search has found 897 studies, which were then reduced to 39 after further scanning and review. The systematic review has elicited 15 key selection criteria which were further reduced through analytic hierarchy process to five critical factors influential to the liner shipping companies’ competitiveness. For example, among the most frequently cited factors are the freight rate, service quality, scheduling, handling equipment and information technology. Based on the findings from the systematic literature review, a conceptual framework to identify the main determinants of the liner operators is developed, and implications for future research are also discussed.

Operational modal analysis on the hydroelastic response of a segmented container carrier model under oblique waves

Both vertical and torsional mode shapes of a segmented container carrier model towed in a model basin are estimated using the operational modal analysis. The operational modal analysis targets to identify the modal properties of a structure using measured data collected during the operation without any information about the excitation. The proper orthogonal decomposition, which is also known as Karhunen–Loeve decomposition, was used for the extraction of mode shapes, and the random decrement technique was applied for the derivation of free decay signal. The segmented hull model of 10,000 TEU container carrier with the scale of 1/60 was towed in a model basin under head and oblique waves and the strain time histories at the designated locations along the continuous backbone were measured. The sectional load, which was estimated based upon the measured strain, was processed using the proper orthogonal decomposition to obtain both vertical and torsional vibration modes. Finally, the free decay signal of each modes was extracted out of the processed data using the random decrement technique and wet damping ratios as well as damped natural frequencies were estimated.

The impact of trunk route deployment changes on pollutant emissions in international container shipping after Panama Canal expansion

Purpose – The expansion of the Panama Canal that is completed in 2016 provides container carriers with new opportunities to redeploy global oceangoing trunk routes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the cargo sources and geographical locations of three trunk routes, the departure points of which are all in East Asia. Design/methodology/approach – The operating conditions of various shipping practices were used to simulate trunk route deployment after canal expansion. Subsequently, a clean-line strategy featuring liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a replacement for heavy oil is proposed to explore the effects that container carriers have on energy savings and emission reductions. Findings – The results showed that the unit emissions of ships traveling trunk routes in East Coast North America and East Coast South America did not differ significantly regardless of whether the container carrier employed a conventional method or the new deployment plan following the expansion of the Panama Canal. By contrast, the adoption of a new method for sailing through the canal yields significant emission reductions for Far East/Europe routes. In addition, the slow-steam strategy adopted by carriers and the more costly clean-line strategy of LNG-fueled ships are both effective when applied to trunk routes. Originality/value – The results of this study provide a reference to container carriers deploying route structures and the International Maritime Organization when promoting emission-reduction policies.

Energy control and grinding mechanoactivation planetary mill AGO-3

For laboratory mehanoaktivatora AGO-3 the parameters of thermal and energy intensity depending on the level filling the container carrier velocity, time mechanical activation. Determine the power delivered to the grinding bodies, friction losses and hydraulic resistance movement of the containers. The reported study was funded by RFBR according to the research project No. 15-42-00106.

Economic Effectiveness of Operation and Utilization of Large Container Carriers

This paper deals with operational effectiveness of large container carriers transporting standardized transportation units. The calculation is related to costs per one TEU transported. What is a very important factor in maritime transport is the vessel's speed. Speed has a considerable influence on total costs, and that's why this factor is also taken into consideration in the calculation. Besides speed, there is another important factor, i.e. the utilization of the capacity of container ships, and that's why new container ship types (Suezmax and Triple-E) were considered in the calculation. In the conclusion, other factors are stated that are of importance for establishing the utilization and economic effectiveness of the given types of container ships.

Linking ocean container carrier capabilities to shipper–carrier relationships: a case study

ABSTRACTAs outsourcing and offshoring continue to expand, the ocean container industry serves a critical and still increasing role in supporting global trade. Yet, perceived commoditization and intense price competition among ocean container carriers limit opportunities for competitive advantage and formation of long-term shipper–carrier relationships. This environment ultimately yields an unhealthy industry that threatens the stability of global supply chains. Extant literature provides limited insight into how carriers can build strong relationships with shippers to overcome the short-term, transactional-orientation of the industry. Examining a case study of a major ocean container carrier, we apply structural equation modeling to shipper survey data to explore how carrier operational, service, and pricing capabilities influence the strength of the long-term shipper–carrier relationship. Furthermore, we identify unique clusters of shipper needs, helping the carrier understand when and how to promote a particular portfolio of capabilities to customers.

베어링 강성을 고려한 10,100 TEU 컨테이너 운반선의 최적 추진축계 배치에 관한 사례 연구

베어링 강성을 고려한 10,100 TEU 컨테이너 운반선의 최적 추진축계 배치에 관한 사례 연구

Port choice strategies for container carriers in China: a case study of the Bohai Bay Rim port cluster

The ports of Dalian, Qingdao and Tianjin are the largest ports in the Bohai Bay Rim and as such are among the fastest growing container ports in China. This setting provides an opportunity to analyse the dynamics of competition involved in inter-port clusters. Competition in a port cluster can be examined from the perspective of port choice. To understand the key determinants of carriers' port choice strategies, on-site interviews were conducted in the fall of 2013. Having identified the factors involved, we performed multinomial logit regressions on them. The results indicated that foreign trade routes and destinations, improved design capacity, demand from the hinterland and whether or not there is a rapid boutique line, can sway a carrier's decision towards either a single port strategy or a combined strategy of making two or three stops at the ports of Dalian, Qingdao and Tianjin. As a result of this research, using combined qualitative and quantitative methodologies, a better understanding of the competition, development and governance of not only ports in a regional area, but throughout China itself, has been achieved. This has contributed overall to a better understanding of the dynamics and interrelationships involved between ports in the Bohai Bay Rim.

Experimental and numerical investigation on relationship between grain size and arrest toughness in steels

Today, steel plates of container carriers become thicker because larger ships are needed for carrying more baggage and reducing the transportation cost. Thus, even though brittle fracture occurs, arresting the crack is essential as “double integrity” for structures. It is directly effective to improve the arrest toughness, which is the material resistance against the brittle crack propagation. However, there was not established theory to explain the dependence of the microstructure on arrest toughness. In particular, although it is empirically known that of the finer grain size makes higher crack arrest toughness, the quantitative relationship was not clarified.Recently, Shibanuma et al. proposed a multiscale model to simulate the brittle crack propagation/arrest behaviour qualitatively. However, the microscopic energy absorbing mechanism in the model is too simple to reveal quantitative prediction of arrest toughness. According to the above background, we conduct an experiment to quantitative clarify the relationship between arrest toughness and grain size, and then modify the above multiscale model based on the experimental results. Consequently, the results obviously shows the relationship between arrest toughness and grain size of steels. The experimental result was contrary to the result of microscopic model. Thus, it is necessary to correct a numerical expression of the microscopic energy absorbing mechanism in the model to accurately simulate the actual brittle crack propagation and arrest behavior in steel of arbitrary grain size.

The New Large Container Carriers and Their Operational Effectiveness in Logistics Chains

This paper compares two types of container ships used in maritime transport of containers: Triple-E and Suezmax ships. Unit costs for a selected route are compared and operational effectiveness of large container ships is calculated. Unit transportation costs per TEU transported are compared as well. There is described the importance of these large container carriers for logistics.

파랑 중 선박의 자유도 운동해석을 위한 중첩격자 기반의 수치해법

This paper introduces a computational method for analysis of the 6-DOF motions of a ship in waves using an overset grid technique which consists of inner and outer domains for representing body motions and numerical wave tank, respectively. High order interpolation scheme is employed to increase numerical accuracy over the interface where physical values, such as velocities and pressure, interact between the inner and outer domains. The numerical schemes and algorithm are addressed in the present paper. An application to motion of KCS container carrier in head waves is presented, and the comparison of responses on heave and pitch motions shows good agreement with those of model tests.

전산유체역학을 이용한 컨테이너 선수갑판 쇄파판에 작용하는 충격하중 계산

In this study, numerical studies using a Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) method were carried out to estimate the green water load acting on the breakwater plate of bow deck of container carrier, KCS. For the green load water load analysis, a full load condition was considered. The relative motions at bow deck were calculated from the seakeepig analysis. Statistical analysis were carried out to estimate the long term response of the relative motions with the North Atlantic wave scatter diagram. The equivalent design wave was determined from the RAO of the relative motions at bow and the long term responses. CFD geometry modeling with three different locations and simulations for the green water loads were carried out in the equivalent design waves. A commercial CFD program, STAR-CCM+ Ver. 8.04, was used and the green water pressures on the breakwater plate were calculated successfully. The CFD analysis for green water loads can be used as a useful design tool for the evaluation of the breakwater plate of the container vessel. Ke ywords : Green water(그린 워터), Bow deck(선수 갑판), Breakwater plate(쇄파판)

Modeling the impacts of alternative emission trading schemes on international shipping

Various market-based measures have been proposed to reduce CO2 emissions from international shipping. One promising mechanism under consideration is the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). This study analyzes and benchmarks the economic implications of two alternative ETS mechanisms, namely, an open ETS compared to a Maritime only ETS (METS). The analytical solutions and model calibration results allow us to quantify the impacts of alternative ETS schemes on the container shipping sector and the dry bulk shipping sector. It is found that an ETS, whether open or maritime only, will decrease shipping speed, carrier outputs and fuel consumption for both the container and dry bulk sectors, even in the presence of a “wind-fall” profit to shipping companies. Under an open ETS, the dry bulk sector will suffer from a higher proportional reduction in output than the container sector, and will thus sell more emission permits or purchase fewer permits. Under an METS, container carriers will buy emission permits from the dry bulk side. In addition, under an METS the degree of competition within one sector will have spill-over effects on the other sector. Specifically, when the sector that sells (buys) permits is more collusive (competitive), the equilibrium permit price will rise. This study provides a framework for identifying the moderating effects of market structure and competition between firms on emission reduction schemes, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the differential impacts of ETS schemes on individual sectors within an industry when considering alternative policies.

Hull-form optimization of a container ship based on bell-shaped modification function

In the present study, a hydrodynamic hull-form optimization algorithm for a container ship was presented in terms of the minimum wave-making resistance. Bell-shaped modification functions were developed to modify the original hull-form and a sequential quadratic programming algorithm was used as an optimizer. The wave-making resistance as an objective function was obtained by the Rankine source panel method in which non-linear free surface conditions and the trim and sinkage of the ship were fully taken into account. Numerical computation was performed to investigate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed hull-form modification algorithm for the container carrier. The computational results were validated by comparing them with the experimental data.

선박의 직진과 선회 시의 프로펠러 하중이 프로펠러 축 베어링에 미치는 영향

In the beginning of the 1990's, numerous shaft bearing damages, especially in aft stern tube bearing, were reported. The main reasons of bearing damages were estimated that hull deflections have been increased by more flexible hulls and propeller dynamic loads have not been considered in shaft alignment. After that time, studies to take into account hull deflections in shaft alignment have been actively carried out, but for the latter leave much to be desired. In this study, the effects of the propeller forces on the propeller shaft bearing have been investigated by estimating thrust eccentricity as reasonable as possible although some assumptions to simulate turning of ship were introduced. Three dimensional nominal wake to estimate thrust eccentricity have been calculated by using CFD analysis and model test in the towing tank. This study presents the procedure to estimate the propeller eccentric forces and their influence on the stern tube bearing for a container carrier. As a result, it has been found that the lateral propeller forces in turning condition should be considered in shaft alignment to prevent shaft bearing damages.