A quantitative Analysis of the Economical Impacts from the Application of Foldable Containers

A quantitative Analysis of the Economical Impacts from the Application of Foldable Containers

Zhang, S.

Verbraeck, A. (mentor)
Seck, M. (mentor)
Annema, J. (mentor)
Bosschieter, S. (mentor)

Technology, Policy and Management

Multi Actor Systems

System Engineering

2011-07-29

The huger and huger imbalance of cargo flows between continents or between countries, such as the imbalance trade between East Asia and western world, pushes the repositioning cost of empty containers higher and higher. The problem of reducing the cost of empty repositioning becomes more and more essential in containerization. Among many solutions, the concept of ‘Foldable Container’ is promising and effective in decrease handling, storage and transportation costs of empty containers, but its potential impacts on the existing logistic chain is not so clear yet that for investors and actors involved, risk are high to really apply this new product into market. The goal of this research study is to improve the insight in the foldable containers’ implementation in the logistic chain, by comparing its economical and logistical performance to standard containers’. Research approach used here is system engineering and specific research method is Discrete Modeling using the software of Arena. In this way, the real issue of foldable containers’ application and logistic performance can be simulated on computer. Besides assisting problem forecasting, these simulation models can also help to obtain quantitative data for problem analysis.

foldable container
shipping line company
containerization
hinterland transportation

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:90408afa-8f27-42e4-8b1b-1d44bc3973df

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2011 Zhang, S.