Inland Terminals Research Articles

Analysing the impact of value added services at intermodal inland terminals

ABSTRACTIntermodal inland terminals are about to expand their scope of services. The aim of this work is to reveal a terminal operator's motives behind a strong service offer, to identify promising new value added services (VAS), and to investigate which operational impacts a new service implementation may have on a terminal's performance. International stakeholder workshops and semi-structured interviews with terminal representatives in Belgium and Austria were used to investigate the topic. By applying systems thinking, the information was visualised in causal loop diagrams and validated by two real-world cases. The analysis discloses great differences between services' impacts on a terminal's performance. For terminal managers, benefits in information and time play key roles when thinking about new VAS. The results underline the importance of understanding cascading effects in management decisions at intermodal inland terminals and to think of potential long-term consequences, which might be unnoticed in the first place.

The role of dry ports in solving seaport disruptions: A Swedish case study

This paper analyzes the effects on Swedish hinterland logistics of a port labor disruption that occurred in the Port of Gothenburg's container terminal in 2016–2017. Because of this dispute, several companies initiated mitigation strategies by moving their cargo by truck or rail in the area, thus utilizing the inherent advantages of hinterland locations and dry ports. Researching hinterland logistics in Sweden, this article conducts a case study on a dry port and the warehouse industry. The results show that the traffic share of inland terminals was higher during and soon after the conflict. Thus, this study suggests that dry ports are significant as potential solutions for this kind of disruption.

Critical Literature Review into Planning of Inter-Terminal Transport: In Port Areas and the Hinterland

Nowadays, the major ports around the world usually consist of multiple terminals and service centers which are often run by different operators. Meanwhile, inland terminals have been also developed to reduce port congestion and improve transport efficiency. The integrated planning of inter-terminal transport (ITT) between the seaport and inland terminals helps in providing frequent and profitable services, but also could lead to higher overall planning complexity. Moreover, the ITT system usually involves multiple stakeholders with different or even conflicting interests. Although an increasing number of studies have been conducted in recent years, few studies have summarized the research findings and indicated the directions for future research regarding ITT. This paper provides a systemic review of ITT planning: we examine 77 scientific journal papers to identify what kind of objectives should be achieved in ITT system planning, which actors should be involved, and what methodologies can be used to support the decision-making process. Based on the analysis of the existing research, several research gaps can be found. For example, the multi-modality ITT systems are rarely studied; cooperation frameworks are needed in the coordination of different actors and quantitative methodologies should be developed to reflect the different actors’ financial interests.

Rail-Road Hinterland Intermodal Terminal Location in West Africa Region—Case Study of Corridor Port of Abidjan to Ouagadougou-Bamako

Efficient and effective movement of goods is very critical in today’s competitive environment especially for developing countries suffering from crippling logistics costs which limit their competitive ability in the global economy. Putting in place an optimal logistics network design offers great potential for logistics cost reduction and service quality improvement [1]. Therefore, this paper presents a model for effective integration of inland intermodal terminal into logistics network. The model simultaneously determines the number and location of inland terminals in network that minimize the total cost of freight flow to hinterland. The model uses Abidjan port in Cote d’Ivoire as the case study for solving numeric examples. The problem will be formulated in the case of a rail-road network where post-routing is done by road and rail link between terminal. We present a linear optimization model which is implemented using LINGO Mathematical Modeling Language.

Railway safety by designing the layout of inland terminals with dangerous goods connected with the rail transport system

While rail transport is growing for medium-distance journeys, the first and last miles are travelled by road, marking a change of transport mode in inland terminals (ITs). Moreover, the introduction of ITs in seaport hinterlands is increasing with a view to decongesting ports, and the best transport mode to connect these ITs with ports is that of rail.In 2013, chemicals were involved in 48 rail accidents in the EU-28 and in 667 in the United States (US). An appropriate design for the layout of inland terminals for containers with dangerous goods (ITDGs) involved in the rail system will increase the safety and operability of rail transport, avoiding accidents such as Tianjin (2015).The novelty of this work is a methodology to design the layout of ITDGs involved in rail transport through a hierarchy of container handling equipment (CHE), used in the yard of the terminal for a safer, more resilient and more environmentally friendly rail transport.The AHP (analytic hierarchy process) was used to hierarchize five alternative layouts, one for each CHE used in the yard; and according to criteria belonging to three areas: safety and security, environment and equipment performance. Results show that a layout linked to platforms is the preferred alternative for storing containers with dangerous goods (DGs) in ITs connected to railways.The implementation of this methodology will reduce consequences in the case of a serious accident in, or terrorist attack on, ITDGs involved in the rail system and GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions in the terminal.

The relations between dry port characteristics and regional port-hinterland settings: findings for a global sample of dry ports

ABSTRACTThis paper aims at defining generic characteristics of dry ports by carrying out an analysis using a large sample of dry ports from around the world. The dataset includes details on 107 inland terminals worldwide. All dry ports in the database have been selected from studies in the extant literature before being shortlisted to fit our research scope. Data collected include terminologies used, actors driving the development, terminal throughput, total area, services provided and the relation with the corresponding seaport(s). Using statistical analysis, the paper examines how dry port parameters are influenced by (1) a different terminal set up, like sea-driven and land-driven development, developed and developing system, dry port functions; (2) specifications of the seaport with which the dry port is connected, i.e. seaport traffic, connectivity, utilization, etc. and (3) the transport leg linking dry ports and seaports. The findings could be applied to the planning and development of inland nodes from the perspectives of different stakeholders.

Performance indicators and automatic identification systems in inland freight terminals for intermodal transport

The inland terminals play an important role in the intermodal freight transport network to transfer loading units and achieve seamless cross-modal processes. Their efficiency contributes to competiveness of intermodal transport which shifts medium distance freight journeys from road to other modes as required by European Policies. Based on the scientific literature, a set of selected performance indicators for inland terminals is identified and classified, considering the terminal subprocess and the actors involved. Also, the main relations between the key performance indicators identified and the possible solutions for automatic identification to detect vehicles and units during the gate operations are analysed. These applications are useful for two main reasons: they contribute to terminal performance improvement, affecting the indicator value, and also may enable the computation of the indicators itself. The aim of the study is to provide a method to measure a particular indicator even in different procedures for check-in. To compare solutions in homogeneous conditions, with a consistent calculation of the indicator, the scenarios are analysed and modelled with a standard system architectures representation. The approach allows stakeholders a standard and simple analysis to effective compare different possible scenarios, in which alternative detection solutions may be implemented.

Effects of demurrage and detention regimes on dry-port-based inland container transport

Increase of congestion at container deep seaports and shortage of capacity has led inland transport systems worldwide to rely more and more on inland terminals, and on the use of high capacity modes of transport to generate economies of scale and reduce negative effects of trucking. In this setting, planning the transport of maritime containers between a deep seaport and a final inland destination must also consider due dates and soft time windows, the latter known as Demurrage and Detention (D&D). In this paper, we formalize the concept of D&D, model the multimodal planning problem, and assess the impact of different D&D regimes on the emerging inland transport systems. By means of an experimental framework, we compare different D&D policies and provide managerial insights. The experiments highlight the effects of existing D&D regimes on transport efficiency and provide guidelines for their choice in practice. D&D are shown to have a twofold effect: first to limit consolidation opportunities and force the use of trucks as buffer, and second to push containers to dwell unnecessarily at the seaports.

Port competition through hinterland accessibility: the case of Spain

While immediate port hinterlands remain relatively captive, distant hinterlands are fiercely contested. Where road is the dominant mode, transport costs are a function of distance which is therefore often the key determinant of port choice. Where distance is sufficiently long to enable rail to compete, other factors become important, such as terminal availability and frequency of rail services. Many ports are increasing the use of rail transport to ease port congestion, reduce transport costs or decrease environmental externalities. The question this paper poses is to what extent has the development of inland terminals and container rail shuttles influenced the ability of Spanish ports to compete for distant hinterlands? The paper analyses competition between three major container ports in Spain: Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia. We use GIS to produce a set of maps which identify relationships between the locations of the main logistics platforms, the configuration of the terrestrial transport infrastructure and the provincial origin/destination of the maritime container traffic and its inter-port distribution from 2008 to 2013. We use longitudinal data on port shipments from inland regions to investigate the changing spatial distribution of port hinterlands and then we map these changes against road and rail traffic flows, in order to explore if a correlation exists between the market share of ports in contestable hinterlands and the use of rail shuttles to key inland terminals. We find that while some inland terminals have been successful in consolidating traffic on rail services, ports (e.g. Valencia) have been able to capture distant hinterlands even with a low usage of rail. This suggests that the use of rail is not the key driver behind successful capture of distant markets, but rather distance remains the primary determinant of port choice. In future, the port of Valencia should seek to increase its growth volumes in areas where its traffic is currently less concentrated, around rail terminals.

Preparation of dry ports for a competitive environment in the container seaport system: A process benchmarking approach

The significant exodus of containers inland due to the container revolution has increased the salience of inland terminals for efficient freight distribution. Further, the migration of containers gradually inland has forced seaports to depend on these inland terminals to determine their competitiveness and offer a mechanism for competitive freight price to the consumer. The performance of dry ports need to be improved along with the dynamic nature of maritime business, to efficiently fulfil the demand all the key players in the container seaport system, provide economies of scale and scope to their respective clients and enhances the importance of inland networks to improve and consistently elongate the competitiveness of container seaports. Predicated to these importance, this paper aims to enhance dry port performance by adapting a process benchmarking strategy among the Malaysian dry ports. Prior to the adaptation of the process benchmarking approach, a grounded theory had been conducted as a method of analysis among the key players of the Malaysian container seaport system in order to provide essential inputs for the benchmarking. Through this paper, the outcome shows all four Malaysian dry ports need to improve their transportation infrastructure and operation facilities, container planning strategy, competition, location and externalities in order to assist all the key players in the container seaport system efficiently and effectively.

Development dynamics of the Portuguese range as a multi-port gateway system

The aim of this paper is to discuss the current status of port regionalization in the Portuguese range and to identify its possible developments, giving special consideration to cross-border issues. The ‘Portuguese range’ comprises a set of ports located in the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, grouped in a multi-port gateway region, directly connected to one of the main European Union rail freight corridors. These ports possess a natural competitive advantage as a gateway to foreland regions along the Atlantic Ocean, such as Latin America, North America and West Africa. In order to fully realize this potential, the entire range is engaged in a regionalization process into certain regions of Spain, which is analysed in this paper. The paper builds upon previous work on regionalization, inland terminal networks, dry port development and dyad formations and applies these concepts to the Portuguese range, in its pursue for the capture of hinterlands in Spain. The validity of the regionalization theoretical framework is thus benchmarked against a trans-national case and novel elements are sought to enrich the framework. The paper first describes the current situation of container terminals in the Portuguese range regarding throughput, rail connections, network of inland terminals (and dry ports) and its utilization. Comparison is made with its Spanish counterparts. The policies of major stakeholders are also reviewed concerning dry port and logistic platform development. A number of potential and existing seaport-dry port dyads are identified. Conclusions and policy suggestions are presented.

Locating urban and regional container terminals in a competitive environment: An entropy maximising approach

Abstract A flexible and policy-oriented model based on the principle of entropy maximisation is proposed for locating competitive multi-user freight facilities in general and inland multi-user intermodal container terminals (IMTs) in particular in a context where multiple users have choices which include whether or not to use the facilities. The overall problem is decomposed into a linked facility location problem (FLP) and a mode choice problem (MCP). The MCP is cast as a three-level nested probability model for determining modal and IMT demands. It was shown that for terminals with sufficiently large handling capacities, the objective function of the overall problem reduces to that of the MCP, the result is a single level mathematical program, which locates facilities to maximise shippers’ expected utility or consumer surplus. The model is suitable for urban or regional planning, but may also be used by terminal operators to estimate shipper demand for given locations. Algorithms for solving the model, principal features of the algorithms and the model are also presented.

Minimizing cost of empty container repositioning in port hinterlands, while taking repair operations into account

Shipping companies are striving to optimize their empty container repositioning strategies which also contribute to reduced congestion and environmental improvements. In this paper we propose a multi-commodity model that makes an explicit distinction between flows of non-damaged containers, on the one hand, and flows of damaged containers, on the other. The model is tailored for the repositioning of these containers in the representative setting of a network of off-dock empty depots, ocean terminals, and inland terminals. In our case study, cost savings of up to 17% are found, depending on the composition of the network, container type, and particular evacuation and repositioning strategy. In particular, directly transporting containers from inland terminals to other inland terminals (direct repositioning) results in cost savings of up to 15% for dry containers and up to 17% for reefer containers. Furthermore, the total costs might be optimized by actually preventing the container failure from occurring possibly leading to considerable additional cost reductions. Finally, exporting damaged containers might seem to be the optimal solution from a regional cost perspective, but, this does not necessarily lead to total cost optimization from the global perspective.

Decision making background for the location of inland terminals

Inland terminals are becoming important objects (knots) in today’s supply chain. This implies new methods to determine the location of inland terminal. Appropriate inland terminal location (ITL) decision depends on analyzing demand, employee’s availability, investment capabilities and other factors. In this paper we present gravity center method and median method as quantitative ones and Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP), ELECTRE and PROMETHEE as complex decision methods to determine inland terminal location. Given methods are implemented on the example of inland terminal location determination in Republic of Croatia.

Total safety by design: Increased safety and operability of supply chain of inland terminals for containers with dangerous goods

In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the international transport of containers with dangerous goods, increasing the risk of seaports and surrounding cities together with the introduction of inherent environmental and security disaster risks. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in seaports that are more socially inclusive, addressing the storage of containers of hazardous goods to safe inland terminals. An appropriate design of inland terminals for containers with dangerous goods (ITDGs) may contribute to the achievement of a sustainable development and the minimization of risks, avoiding disasters such as Tianjin. The objective of this study was the analysis of the criteria used for the design of safe, secure, cost efficient and greener ITDGs by applying the multicriteria decision theory AHP (analytic hierarchy process). Criteria regarding safety and security, environmental care, productivity and information and communication technologies (ICT) have been considered simultaneously into a total performance management system.

Research Trends of Inland Terminals: A Literature Review

Inland terminals are becoming an increasingly important factor for disburdening port storage capacities and the expansion of the port gravitational areas. The above defines inland terminals as facilities with prolonged activities of seaports, or an integral part of the port. Due to increased interest in the development of inland terminals, the literature in the field of inland terminals since the beginning of its research (1980) to the latest research in 2015 has been analysedand revised. The review will summarize the literature related to development, classification, technological processes and location of inland terminals. In the end, the paper identifies a new proposition for further research based on the current trends and developments in inland terminals as an important factor of intermodal transport.

An institutional analysis of the evolution of inland waterway transport and inland ports on the Pearl River

Inland waterway transport (IWT) is the most appropriate means of transportation in the pursuit of a sustainable development strategy. The development of IWT varies per region. Public entities and institutions play an important role in the development of IWT. This paper analyses the development of IWT on the Pearl River from an institutional perspective. Chinese national fiscal reforms, land use reforms and the transfer of power from the central government to local governments impact the governance of IWT. The paper demonstrates that the privatization of inland ports was triggered by the mismatch between the objectives of IWT operators and either public objectives or market demand. This process unfolded while top-level governors did not aim for privatization. The paper shows how formal institutional changes of IWT on the Pearl River are both the result of deliberate design and a path creation in the transformation from the Chinese planned economy to the Chinese market economy. It also shows how institutional changes resulted in a dual development path (i.e. a rapid development of inland terminals but underdevelopment of inland waterways) of IWT in the Pearl River. Policy recommendations are provided based on the research findings with specific attention to the factors hindering IWT development on the Pearl River at the level of the waterway infrastructure and inland ports.

Dry Ports As Extensions of Maritime Deep-Sea Ports: A Case Study of Vietnam

This paper focuses on dry port as a key notion in port-hinterland development. We first discuss the concept of dry port by reviewing existing literature. Then, we explore the reasons behind the emergence and development of inland node systems in different geographical, economic and institutional contexts. Next, the paper presents a classification of dry ports based on a multitude of factors and dimensions and the respective benefits to different parties. The study then focuses on the specific characteristics of dry ports and associated transport networks in developing countries. In the last part, we present a case study on the dry port system in Vietnam by reviewing the seaport and inland transport system and analyzing the current status of inland terminals in Vietnam. To conclude, a SWOT analysis is presented with regard to the development of the dry port network in Vietnam, followed by recommendations for policy makers.

Dry Ports As Extensions of Maritime Deep-Sea Ports: A Case Study of Vietnam

This paper focuses on dry port as a key notion in port-hinterland development. We first discuss the concept of dry port by reviewing existing literature. Then, we explore the reasons behind the emergence and development of inland node systems in different geographical, economic and institutional contexts. Next, the paper presents a classification of dry ports based on a multitude of factors and dimensions and the respective benefits to different parties. The study then focuses on the specific characteristics of dry ports and associated transport networks in developing countries. In the last part, we present a case study on the dry port system in Vietnam by reviewing the seaport and inland transport system and analyzing the current status of inland terminals in Vietnam. To conclude, a SWOT analysis is presented with regard to the development of the dry port network in Vietnam, followed by recommendations for policy makers.

A Timed Petri Nets Model for Performance Evaluation of Intermodal Freight Transport Terminals

This paper presents a general modeling framework for Intermodal Freight Transport Terminals (IFTTs). The model allows simulating and evaluating the performance of such key elements of the intermodal transportation chain. Hence, it may be used by the decision maker to identify the IFTT bottlenecks, as well as to test different solutions to improve the IFTT dynamics. The proposed modeling framework is modular and based on timed Petri Nets (PNs), where places represent resources and capacities or conditions, transitions model inputs, flows, and activities into the terminal and tokens are intermodal transport units or the means on which they are transported. The model is able to represent the different types of existing IFTTs. Its effectiveness is tested first on an example from the literature and then on a real case study, the railroad inland terminal of a leading Italian intermodal logistics company, showing its ease of application. In the real case study, using the proposed formalism we test the as-is IFTT performance and evaluate alternative possible to-be improvements in order to identify and eliminate emerging criticalities in the terminal dynamics.