INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT SEYSTEM:
(a) A key difference between the European and North American intermodal freight markets is the latter’s development of double stack container services. Describe the principles of the technique and appraise the factors which have allowed it to flourish.
(b) You have been approached by a manufacturer of double stack railcars, which wants you to advise on global market expansion. Provide advice on other regions globally which you feel have the potential for the introduction of double stack container services, stating the reasons for your choices.
With reference to den Hengst’s (2008) model of business relationships within the intermodal freight process as shown in figure, analyse the roles of each group. Make specific reference to the role of the “chain manager” in the process.
Figure: Organisations in container transport
Source: den Hengst M (2008), Interorganizational coordination: the role of information technology. In: Konings R, Priemus H and Nijkamp P (eds), The future of intermodal freight transport: operations, design and policy, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 252-270
A power generating company is considering converting a coal-fired power station to run on heavy fuel oil. Deep sea deliveries of the fuel can be made in bulk to a nearby port but the company must consider how best to move the fuel inland to its power station. This is located on an estuarial river, alongside a canal. It is also a short distance from a railway line, which provides a connection (albeit not by the most direct route) to the port. The company has been refused permission to move the oil by road on environmental grounds.
(a) Advise the company of the factors it should consider when selecting a transport mode for the port to power station movement.
(b) How might the decision be different if the life-span of the project was 5 years or 30 years?
(a) UNESCAP states that “The provision of dry ports can create a virtuous cycle … for inland areas far from sea ports.” Explain the concept of the dry port and appraise the benefits which are predicted to arise following their introduction.
(b) With specific reference to the Transasian Railway project, and with appropriate reference to selected examples, analyse the factors which dictate appropriate locations for dry ports.
“Institutional changes such as greater cooperation between public and private sectors and evolution of new forms of business enterprises such as third- and fourth-party logistics firms are also working to relieve congestion and increase connectivity between modes.”
Source: Chatterjee L and Lakshmanan T R (2008), Intermodal freight transport in the United States. In: Konigs R, Priemus H and Nijkamp P (eds), The future of intermodal freight transport, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 34-57
Analyse whether changes of the type described by theseauthors are nowadays more significant to the intermodal freight market than developments in equipment and technology.