International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics 

About: International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics is an academic journal published by Inderscience Publishers. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Computer science & Supply chain. It has an ISSN identifier of 1756-6517. Over the lifetime, 407 publications have been published receiving 4088 citations. The journal is also known as: Shipping and transport logistics & IJSTL.

Port hinterland intermodal container flow optimisation with green concerns: a literature review and research agenda

Abstract: The closer link between ports and supply chain leads to a growing research area – port hinterland intermodal development. Focusing on the literature with mathematical models, the purpose of this paper is to categorise and analyse earlier research contributions on intermodal container flow optimisation, to identify the research trends and gaps, and to suggest future research directions. Results show that future research should focus on global intermodal container flow optimisation, addressing the approaches of ports integrating into such global intermodal chain taken green issues into account. There is substantial need for research addressing greening the intermodal network and sustainable development. Providing cost effective solutions alone in optimisation problem is rather traditional and one-sided. Those market players possessing commercially viable capabilities and also environmental responsibilities would gain a competitive advantage in future dynamic business environment. Bi-objective or multi-objective optimisation would be more suitable to actual situations.

A two-stage supply chain DEA model for measuring container-terminal efficiency

Abstract: Despite the growing amount of research into container-port operations and efficiency, much of the literature on the subject treats container ports and terminals as black box systems without examining the structure of their transformation and production processes. Research on the network and multi-stage structure of container-terminal operating systems is scarce and its applications in the context of port performance and benchmarking are even scarcer. In this paper, we argue that the container terminal production would be best modelled as a network of interrelated sub-processes and operating sites and develop a supply chain DEA model aimed at capturing the transformational process within the container-terminal system and across its sub-systems. We start by modelling container terminal operations as a container-flow process and analyse their site-specific and combined efficiency before formalising a two-stage supply chain DEA model to measure the efficiencies of both individual and network container terminal operations. Although, due to the unavailability of detailed operational data, this study is limited to container export flows only, the results provide further insight on the network structure of container-terminal operating systems and confirm the existence of disproportionate performances and efficiency levels between container-terminal operating sites and sub-processes.

Complementarities and alignment of information systems management and supply chain management

Abstract: Although prior research has generated considerable knowledge on the importance of information systems management (ISM) and supply chain management (SCM) for improving business performance, the findings are at best inconsistent and at worst contradictory. This is because one of the key issues concerning the effectiveness of their implementation – the alignment of ISM and SCM – is under-explored. The lack of understanding on the alignment of ISM and SCM has prevented the full exploitation of their implementation that will contribute to improvements in business performance. Drawing on the organisation theory, this study attempts to: 1 examine the complementarities in the philosophical emphases of ISM and SCM 2 investigate how they could complement each other 3 provide illustrative case examples on the performance implications of alignment and misalignment in their implementation. This study advances knowledge on the alignment of ISM and SCM practices and highlights the importance of recognising the complementarities of ISM and SCM in their implementation efforts.

An empirical model of the bulk shipping market

Abstract: There are four markets in shipping, namely the freight market that trades sea transport, the second-hand market that trades used ships, the new building vessel market that trades new ships and the demolition market that deals with scrap ships. These four shipping markets are closely associated. This study aims to provide insights into the four shipping markets and to explain how these markets affect one another by empirically testing the relationships among the key variables of bulk shipping – prices of ships (in new building market, second-hand market and demolition market), fleet size, freight rate, and seaborne trade. The study results show that seaborne trade significantly affects fleet size, while fleet size is also affected by freight rate. On the other hand, freight rate has a significant impact on ship prices, i.e., new building, second-hand and scrap vessel prices. Based on the findings, a regression equation is developed to predict fleet size. Theoretical and practical implications of the bulk shipping market model are also discussed in this study.

Fleet mix in container shipping operations

Abstract: In the context of container shipping, carrying capacity can be one of the resources for better firm performance. Shipping is one of the most capital intensive industries as carriers need to acquire ships to offer shipping services to their customers. Although it seems intuitive for carriers to deploy mega ships to achieve cost efficiency, it requires a balance between shipping services and ship size in determining their fleet mix. This study provides empirical evidence to examine the issue of scale operations and service scope in the container shipping industry. Our findings suggest that carrying capacity of shipping firms positively affect their firm performance. As fleet mix is concerned with the number of ships and the size of ships, we used path analysis to examine the impact of number of ships and average ship size on firm performance. In comparing the magnitude of the effect, the number of ships has stronger impact on firm performance than ship size. In this study, we also introduce a 'SCOPE' framework which consists of the dimensions concerning service frequency, customer value, optimal vessel size, ports of call and extensive market coverage, which is useful for shipping managers to determine their fleet mix in liner shipping services.