Optimization of Container Transportation in Port Hinterland with Trucks

Abstract

In recent years, containerized transportation has become increasingly important. According to the UNCTAD review, the annual growth rate for goods transported in containers amounts to 1.1 % in 2019. This leads to challenges for container handling in ports and hinterland transportation. At the same time, the advancing digitalization of ports and the ever-increasing amount of data available are opening up new opportunities for data-based optimization. The logistics in the hinterland of ports accounts for up to 80% of the total cost of the maritime logistics chain. Optimizing hinterland logistics offers large potential for using scarce infrastructure resources efficiently, for reducing emissions and costs, and for providing high quality hinterland services to increase competitiveness. In this presentation it is discussed how costs in hinterland container logistics with trucks can be reduced by using horizontal cooperation, i.e. by sharing and/or exchanging customer orders, and how stable cooperation can be established. Based on a literature review and expert interviews, the relevant approaches, such as compensation mechanisms, which are required for a balanced and long-term horizontal cooperation between forwarders and truckers, are identified. These approaches are integrated into a mathematical model for the operative optimization of container transportation in port hinterland with trucks. The analysis shows that different degrees of cooperation have different impact on the efficiency of the system, e.g. in terms of cost and emission reduction. The relation between the intensity of exchange of customer orders and the different objectives as efficiency and sustainability is studied and discussed, and further research needs are identified.