Supply Chain Transportation Research Articles

Unleashing Efficiency Potential: The Power of Non-Convex Double Frontiers in Sustainable Transportation Supply Chains

Unleashing Efficiency Potential: The Power of Non-Convex Double Frontiers in Sustainable Transportation Supply Chains

The value of blockchain for shipping platforms: a perspective from multi-homing and network effects

Traditional information structures within shipping supply chain platforms often grapple with inefficient decision-making processes, hindering overall efficiency. Blockchain is increasingly utilised in shipping platforms, employing decentralised distributed ledgers to transform the information architecture of supply chains, which are typically characterised by centralised management and fragmented data. However, the ceasing of operations such as TradeLens and 300cubits due to high operating costs, user privacy concerns, and multiple bets also makes investing in blockchain an obscure choice. Motivated by this dilemma about the value of blockchain to platforms, we investigate the impact of user behaviour on blockchain investments in shipping platforms through a game-theoretic model of heterogeneous platform competition. First, our results show that the relationship between the intrinsic value and the option value of blockchain is a crucial determinant of its applicability to platforms. Second, we establish that, although the network effects enhance platform profits, higher network effects exacerbate price competition and hinder the value of the blockchain. Moreover, multi-homing can weaken the strategic dependency between platforms and users, thereby reducing the profitability of platforms. Finally, it is observed that blockchain investment in shipping platforms brings more consumer surplus and social welfare, with moderate network effects and multi-homing behaviour.

The impact of the Korean safe rates system on work environment and road safety

Abstract The regulation of road transport supply chains has recently become a subject of international concern. A significant body of research shows that ensuring minimum rates of pay for truck drivers is important, not only to workers’ health and safety but also to achieving improved road safety outcomes and other policy objectives related to the viability of the road transport industry. For this study, we used an empirical analysis to quantitatively demonstrate the impact of South Korea’s Safe Rates System on factors of the work environment and driver behaviours that affect road safety. Specifically, we looked at the impact of the system on market structure, truck drivers’ monthly net income, average working time, time spent on maintenance, and the frequency of overloading, speeding, and drowsiness while driving. Our results suggest that increased rates of pay for owner truck drivers resulting from the implementation of the Safe Rates System led to a reduction in the average number of contracting steps between client companies who ship goods and the truck drivers who transport them, improvement in the level of market transparency, increased monthly income, decrease in total time worked, decrease in the frequency of overloading, speeding, and drowsiness while driving, and increase in time spent on vehicle maintenance. The level of compliance with the system by clients and transport companies also had an overall positive impact on the industry structure. By empirically demonstrating the system’s impact, our results provide statistical evidence useful to the debate on reintroduction of the Safe Rates System in Korea.

Nowhere else in the world? The Korean Safe Rates System in global context

Abstract The Korean ‘Safe Trucking Freight Rates System’ (‘Safe Rates System’) was an important effort to address road safety risks by regulating road transport supply chains. In effect between 2020 and 2022, the system set minimum standards for truck driver pay and placed obligations on road transport supply chain parties to comply with these standards. In this article, we explain how the system developed in response to the deregulation and restructuring of the road freight market in the late 1980s and 1990s. We also trace the influence on the system of regulatory development in Australia and debates at the International Labour Organization (ILO). In 2019, workers, employers, and government representatives at the ILO reached an agreement on the main principles of the Safe Rates regulatory model through the adoption of the Guidelines on the promotion of decent work and road safety in the transport sector. We use these principles to explain and evaluate the Korean system. We also summarise assessments of the system’s impact, arguing that the results of the few studies that exist, justify the continuation of the system. By locating Korean Safe Rates as part of a broader global trend, we respond to opponents’ claims that the system is without international precedent and make the system eligible for a global audience. In so doing, we seek to contribute to the ongoing debate about the reintroduction of Safe Rates in Korea and draw lessons from the Korean experience that may be used in other countries.

Ship Type Selection and Cost Optimization of Marine Container Ships Based on Genetic Algorithm

In the context of the deep-sea transportation supply chain, this paper addresses the complex decision-making problem of vessel allocation and carbon emission optimization for container shipping routes. A bi-level programming model is established, with the upper level aiming to minimize the total operational cost and the lower level focusing on minimizing carbon emissions. Using an example of an operator with five different types of vessels, a genetic algorithm is employed to determine the optimal vessel allocation scheme. The results indicate that the vessel allocation scheme obtained through multiple iterations of the model effectively reduces both carbon emissions and operational costs. Under the condition that the preset labor cost increases year by year, the use of model optimization can significantly reduce the growth of total operating costs. This paper provides theoretical support and practical guidance for shipping companies aiming to optimize decision-making in order to reduce operational costs and carbon emissions.

Independent operation or coordinated integration? Enhancing the system resilience of ports in dealing with congestion based on a bilateral bargaining game

Fierce competition between ports may trigger substantial issues including port congestion, further wreaking havoc on the system resilience of ports. The coordinated integration of ports becomes a feasible and indispensable strategy for mitigating competitive pressure and enhancing the system resilience. In a two-tier supply chain within trade activities between two adjacent ports, we discuss the competitive and cooperative strategy selections between ports by a bilateral bargaining game to investigate how to improve the system resilience of ports in coping with congestion. The results reveal that port cooperation has the advantage of improving throughput and the system resilience of ports by alleviating port congestion, but becomes more challenging as the advantageous port's bargaining power and competitive intensity increase. Although under the pressure of high freight rates, shipping companies are still willing to actively participate in and promote the coordinated integration of ports for a premium service provided by ports. From the overall shipping supply chain, port cooperation optimizes the entire operation of port system and promotes profits from the high system resilience, demonstrating a better environmental performance by dealing with congestion. In light of the conclusions, it is essential to vigorously establish a port-port alliance through coordinated contracts to tackle congestion and enhance resilience, thereby boosting competitiveness and ensuring profitability in the whole system of ports.

Optimisation problem of China’s supply chain transportation issues in European logistics

The paper highlights the importance and validity of the research problem: the major consequence for logistics arising from China’s logistics market due to its effective short-term and long-term strategies and developing transportation wholesale. The presented viewpoint helps to clearly understand the international perspective of the vastly enlarging China’s supply chain market due to its strong links with logistics centres. In recent years, much scientific research and studies have been conducted in China and Europe regarding China’s transport evolution era, from the production stage to the physical distribution stage, involving multiple steps until loads are in customers’ hands. The article considers the optimisation problem of a supply chain with multiple periods and diverse means of transportation. The considered problem can be formulated as a dynamic multi-criteria decision-making problem, in which the criteria are minimising the total cost, minimising the carbon footprint, and minimising the average transporting time.

Internet Technology for Efficiency and Resilience in Ocean Transportation Supply Chain Management: A Case Study of China Ocean Shipping Group

With the global maritime transport industry has faced many challenges in recent years, such as market volatility, environmental requirements and technological upgrading. The wide application of Internet technology has changed the management mode of the marine shipping industry and brought new opportunities for its development. Taking China Ocean Shipping Group as a case study, this study aims to explore the use of Internet technology to solve the problems faced by the ocean shipping supply chain and to discuss the importance of Internet technology in the ocean shipping supply chain, its areas of application, and the changes it may bring. Currently, the main problems faced by the marine transport supply chain include human resource costs, logistics information technology level, port and route selection, and shipping market uncertainty, which seriously affect the efficiency and flexibility of marine transport and operating costs. This study discusses Internet technologies to solve practical problems and specific supply chain management measures, including supply chain efficiency, flexibility and operating costs.

Enhancing a You Only Look Once-Plated Detector via Auxiliary Textual Coding for Multi-Scale Rotating Remote Sensing Objects in Transportation Monitoring Applications

With the rapid development of intelligent information technologies, remote sensing object detection has played an important role in different field applications. Particularly in recent years, it has attracted widespread attention in assisting with food safety supervision, which still faces troubling issues between oversized parameters and low performance that are challenging to solve. Hence, this article proposes a novel remote sensing detection framework for multi-scale objects with a rotating status and mutual occlusion, defined as EYMR-Net. This proposed approach is established on the YOLO-v7 architecture with a Swin Transformer backbone, which offers multi-scale receptive fields to mine massive features. Then, an enhanced attention module is added to exploit the spatial and dimensional interrelationships among different local characteristics. Subsequently, the effective rotating frame regression mechanism via circular smoothing labels is introduced to the EYMR-Net structure, addressing the problem of horizontal YOLO (You Only Look Once) frames ignoring direction changes. Extensive experiments on DOTA datasets demonstrated the outstanding performance of EYMR-Net, which achieved an impressive mAP0.5 of up to 74.3%. Further ablation experiments verified that our proposed approach obtains a balance between performance and efficiency, which is beneficial for practical remote sensing applications in transportation monitoring and supply chain management.

Implementation of an adaptive data logging algorithm in low-cost IoT nodes for supply chain transport monitoring

Implementation of an adaptive data logging algorithm in low-cost IoT nodes for supply chain transport monitoring

Анализ технологических процессов погрузочно-разгрузочных, транспортных, перегрузочных и складских операций на основе контейнерных перевозок

The article discusses key technological operations, including loading and unloading, transportation, transshipment and storage of goods in containers, as well as analyzes modern approaches to managing and optimizing these processes. The main attention is paid to the automation and mechanization of loading and unloading operations, the use of multimodal transportation to improve the efficiency of transport processes, the development of strategies for optimizing routes and logistics schemes, as well as the use of modern information technologies for cargo tracking and inventory management. The authors of the article emphasize the importance of integrating logistics operations and creating a unified information system for coordinating all stages of container transportation. As a result of the analysis, ways to improve technological processes aimed at reducing costs, increasing the speed of cargo delivery and increasing the overall efficiency of logistics chains are proposed. The article contains recommendations on the introduction of innovative solutions and technologies that can help optimize the work of enterprises engaged in container transportation. The research is based on the analysis of real data, including statistics on the operation of ports, transport companies and warehouse complexes, as well as on the study of best practices in this area. The article provides examples of successful implementation of the proposed approaches in practice, which makes it useful for specialists in the field of logistics, supply chain management and transportation.

What customers want and need: Bringing consistency, reliability and innovation to the global supply chain

Transportation companies must continue to assure customers that they are ready to handle all aspects of their shipping needs, from a quick and safe delivery to environmental transparency of that shipment. This paper demonstrates that no element of the transportation supply chain is immune from that charge, from lorry to rail to ship. Companies like BNSF Railway should be prepared to continue to handle those challenges and look towards the future of what customers want and need by resiliently forging ahead with a customer-first approach through strategic capital investments, a future mindset in technologies that support a more efficient and sustainable tomorrow and providing service offerings to anticipate the needs of the ever-evolving supply chain.

A fuzzy logic-based risk assessment framework for the crude oil transportation supply chain

This study proposes a novel approach to increase the efficiency of crude oil transportation by integrating fuzzy logic and the TOPSIS method. The proposed technique addresses the uncertainties and imprecisions in decision-making processes to identify the optimal shipping alternatives. The study also evaluates the static and dynamic risk indicators related to the transportation of crude oil. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is found to be a promising option for crude oil shipments, reducing the risks associated with current routes. Using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology, the research determines China's most efficient crude oil supply channel using a fuzzy-based Improved TOPSIS approach. The economic feasibility of the CPEC option has been confirmed through a thorough cost-benefit analysis (CBA). Additionally, the optimal mode of transportation from CPEC seaports to Western China is determined using the fuzzy-based Improved TOPSIS method. The MCDM criteria considered in all scenarios include time, financial outlays, energy consumption, environmental impact, and security risks. The results indicate that the CPEC route and the maritime route via Myanmar outperform the conventional route that passes through the seaports of Eastern China. This study emphasizes the significant advancement in decision-making in crude oil transportation made possible by the fuzzy-based Improved TOPSIS technique.

A hybrid SgDT framework for risk analysis of container-handling operations at automated container terminals

With the booming maritime economy and the steady expansion of port production, automated container terminals (ACTs) have rapidly developed worldwide. The safety and stability of container-handling operations at ACTs are crucial for maintaining high efficiency and performance in maritime transportation and global supply chains. However, few studies have focused on the quantitative risk analysis of container-handling operations at ACTs. This study proposes a hybrid SgDT (STPA-grey-DEMATEL-TAISM) approach to analyze risk factors and their coupling interrelationships within ACT handling operations. Initially, 22 factors influencing ACT handling operations were identified based on the system theoretic process analysis (STPA) model and literature. Subsequently, grey theory and decision-making test and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) were fused to visualize the cause-effect relationships of these factors. Finally, the total adversarial interpretive structural model (TAISM) was adopted to extract the hierarchical interrelationships among these factors using an adversarial hierarchical structure. The findings showed that poor supervision, communication network failures, sensor malfunctions, equipment malfunctions, lack of safety awareness, and interruptions of the power supply are the most critical factors influencing ACT handling operations. This study provides theoretical insights and practical implications for managers to enhance ACT handling risk management.

The Impact of Transaction Credit on Credit Enhancement of Supply Chain Financing of Small and Micro-Logistics Based on Evolutionary Game Analysis

The issue of credit enhancement in supply chain financing for small and micro-logistics enterprises (SMLEs), as well as the factors that affect the decision-making of participants in supply chain financing transaction credit enhancement, is analyzed in this study. First, an evolutionary game model between financial institutions (FIs) and SMLEs was built. In contrast to bank loans, a novel mechanism for achieving credit enhancement based on transaction data in the transportation supply chain was established through a strict environment and an increase in default penalties to compel SMLEs to uphold their obligations. Furthermore, the stability analysis shows that the stable state convergence of the evolutionary game between FIs and SMLEs evolves to the stage where FIs offer loans to SMLEs. Finally, according to the simulation analysis on the real data collected from CHZL logistics park survey data, this work demonstrates that the fluctuation ranges of the strategy evolution process for the FIs and SMLEs are positively correlated with the intensity of the stochastic perturbation.

Bibliometric Insights into Balancing Efficiency and Security in Urban Supply Chains

This study examines the balance between urban transportation security and supply chain efficiency amid global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, attacks on maritime lanes, and geopolitical conflicts. The authors combine bibliometric network analysis and natural language processing (NLP) to review scholarly literature from 2017 to 2023. This approach identifies and visualizes evolving thematic trends. Findings reveal a shift towards integrating advanced technologies, such as blockchain, AI, and IoT, to enhance security without compromising efficiency. This study highlights the significance of integrating urban planning principles and sustainable practices to enhance transportation security and supply chain efficiency within urban environments. Actionable insights for policymakers and supply chain managers emphasize the adoption of integrated, technology-driven security solutions to foster resilient and sustainable supply chains. This research contributes to academic discourse by refining the understanding of evolving priorities in transportation security and supply chain management, offering both theoretical and practical implications for secure and efficient global supply chains.

Food security is a global problem of humanity and the main factors affecting it

Food, its production, distribution and consumption are the most important elements of the world economic system. The significance of the food problem is determined primarily by the fact that in the structure of human needs, the need for food is of primary importance. In addition, the degree of her satisfaction is insufficient. The problem of food security is one of the most important global problems today. Rising food prices amid the global financial crisis have made food unaffordable for many families, especially in developing countries. The article analyzes various scientific approaches that explain the essence of the global food problem, the place of food security in the system of economic security of the state as its separate component. According to the processed materials of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), modern views on food security as one of the global problems of mankind were systematized, the world state of food security was analyzed and the main factors affecting it were determined. It was established that the largest number of undernourished people live in Asia (55%), Africa (37%), Latin America and the Caribbean (8%). It was found that poverty is the main driver of food insecurity. Losses of food products at all stages of their promotion in the supply chain (production, transportation, storage and consumption), as well as FAO recommendations on ways to transform food systems to solve the global food problem and «ensure access to affordable and healthy food for all segments of the population in the countries of the world» are given in the context of achieving the goals of sustainable and inclusive development». The problem of food supply for Ukraine is briefly described. According to a preliminary estimate by the FAO, direct losses of assets in the field of agriculture as a result of the war in Ukraine amount to more than 6.5 billion US dollars. At present, the losses of available cultivated areas amount to more than 25% including more than 70% of irrigated lands, about 25% of berry crops and — 20% of gardens.

Integrated optimization of truck appointment quotas and container relocations for multiple blocks considering transshipment containers handling

The container terminal is a crucial transshipment node in the sea and land cargo transport supply chain, and the efficiency of container collection and distribution has always been a research hotspot. In this paper, we consider the impact of transshipment containers resulting from various uncertainties and integrate the operations of external truck pickups with the handling of transshipment containers in the import yard of the container terminal. In light of the varying number of transshipment containers and transit times for different blocks, coupled with the unpredictable arrival order of external trucks leading to the unknown number of relocations, it is proposed to dynamically adjust the upper limit of the appointed quota for each block. We establish a two stage mixed integer programming model for the truck appointment quota and the block relocation problem. The objective functions aim to minimize the number of relocations and minimize the number of yard crane moves under the maximal appointment quota, respectively. This model is utilized for dynamically regulating the upper limit of the appointed quota for each block and determining the time intervals for picking up the appointed and transshipment containers, along with the yard crane scheduling scheme. The problem is solved using CPLEX and the improved variable neighborhood search algorithm (IVNS). The IVNS incorporates the correction strategy, decoding strategy, and scheduling rules designed to align closely with the characteristics of the problem. Through scheme comparison and sensitivity analysis, five management insights are proposed for terminals. Experimental results demonstrate that the approach presented in this paper effectively enhances the utilization efficiency of yard cranes, reduces yard congestion, and yields benefits for both terminals and trucking companies.

Granting analysis of the credit financing of the platform-type highway transportation supply chain.

Against the background of digital development, this study's research object is the platform-based highway transportation supply chain. It also analyzes two modes of supply chain financial credit financing, namely, upstream, and downstream enterprises of the platform, and network freight platform as the main financing body. Notably, the financial provider sets up a transaction credit based on the principle of business truth, and closed-loop transactions, determine the upper limit of the credit line based on the principle of financing self-compensation, build the expected profit maximization model, and establish the optimal credit line. Combined with the Highway Freight Index and Logistics Prosperity Index, the dynamic early warning value is established for the financing mode, where the platform as the main financing body. Through numerical analysis, the credit line and expected profit increase with the transaction credit, expected freight volume, and credit interest rate under the two modes, and the increase deriving from the credit interest rate is more significant. Finally, this paper describes the two-dimensional credit matrix of the financing subject via transaction credit and credit interest rate, which provides an intuitive credit reference for financial institutions to conduct the credit financing of the platform-based highway transportation supply chain.

A fairness-based multi-objective distribution and restoration model for enhanced resilience of supply chain transportation networks

Disruptive events play a significant role in the performance of supply chain networks (SCNs) due to their high dependency on transportation networks. Therefore, it is critical to develop coordinated strategies that consider (i) efficient restoration plans for the transportation network (TN) and (ii) distribution plans for downstream SCN, which consider critical aspects such as road congestion, travel time, and required service levels. Thus, we propose a novel multi-objective non-linear mixed-integer programming (NMIP) model to deal with disruptions in transportation networks while maximizing SCN performance. We developed a model for optimal restoration that reduces the effects of disruptions that disrupt the performance of the road TN and SCNs while considering a fair distribution of commodities. The model provides optimal restoration strategies for the TN after unpredicted events, not only based on a cost-effectiveness approach but also on the fair distribution of commodities among demand nodes on a complex network structure with a multi-supplier, multi-demand, and multi-commodity framework. To illustrate the model's capabilities, we study the transportation of commodities in Colombia and how disruptions impact their SCN performance. The results show that a fairness-based distribution helps to obtain satisfaction rates faster when compared to restoration plans based on cost-effectiveness only.