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Trans. Planning Journal
| Title | Analyzing Operating Strategies for Intermodal Express Shipments of Marine Carriers |
|---|---|
| Author | Chaug-Ing Hsu, Mei-Chu Peng |
| Summary | This study developed models on analyzing operating strategies, costs and market segments for intermodal express and standard shippings provided by a marine carrier. On the demand side, the shipping alternative choice model assumed shippers with different demand characteristics choose the alternative with the least transportation and inventory costs between intermodal express and standard shipping services. On the supply side, the study considered container size, speed, service frequency, and the shipping distance to construct a shipping operating strategy model by maximizing the carrier’s profits. The inland transshipment model assumed the marine carrier chooses the alternative with the least inland transportation and inventory costs between rails and trucks for shippers. Furthermore, the demand-supply interactions between marine carriers and shippers are analyzed by integrating the above submodels. The results showed that intermodal express services are suitable for long-distance shipping lines and shippers shipping high-value freights tend to select the express shipping service. The sensitivity analysis shows that the express shipping service will be more necessary when the average value of shipping freight in the market increases. In addition, the railroad transshipment will increase when the value of shipments decreases or the shipping destination is close to railroad terminal. The results of the study showed how marine carriers can set up intermodal express operating strategies in response to different market structures so as to markedly cut down the costs of both carriers and shippers and enhance competitiveness. |
| Vol. | 32 |
| No. | 4 |
| Page | 715 |
| Year | 2003 |
| Month | 12 |
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