Table of Contents
Preface ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….v
1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………..1
1.1 Transport growth and the need for sustainable transport development …………………….1
1.2 Inland waterway transport in Europe: performance and characteristics ……………………2
1.3 Intermodal transport: a growth market for inland waterway transport ……………………..7
1.4 Problem definition and research questions………………………………………………………….9
1.5 Scope and approach ……………………………………………………………………………………..13
1.6 Outline of the thesis ……………………………………………………………………………………..18
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….21
2 Network design for intermodal barge transport…………………………………………….29
2.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………..30
2.2 Towards a framework for barge network design ………………………………………………..32
2.2.1 The vessel size …………………………………………………………………………………………….33
2.2.2 Improvement of the circulation time of vessels………………………………………………….35
2.3 Case study Rhine river: Rotterdam – Duisburg………………………………………………….37
2.3.1 Data and results……………………………………………………………………………………………37
2.3.2 Case study conclusions………………………………………………………………………………….41
2.4 General conclusions ……………………………………………………………………………………..42
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….43
ii Intermodal barge transport: network design, nodes and competitiveness
3 Development of container barge transport on small waterways: from
increasing scale to increasing scope………………………………………………………………45
3.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………..46
3.2 Position of small waterways in the European inland waterway network…………………47
3.3 Erosion of the market position of the small vessel ……………………………………………..49
3.4 The present role of small waterways in terms of container transport volumes …………50
3.5 Endeavours to develop container barge transport on small waterways …………………..51
3.5.1 Low-cost inland terminals ……………………………………………………………………………..51
3.5.2 Adapted vessels……………………………………………………………………………………………53
3.6 Alternative strategies: revision of network operations…………………………………………54
3.6.1 Numerical example ………………………………………………………………………………………54
3.6.2 Practical experiments: Rhein-Westfalen Shuttle ………………………………………………..57
3.7 Conclusions ………………………………………………………………………………………………..58
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….59
4 Hub-and-spoke networks in container-on-barge transport……………………………..61
4.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………..62
4.2 The role of service networks in transport business……………………………………………..65
4.3 A closer look at the specific features of hub-and-spoke networks …………………………66
4.4 Present service networks in intermodal barge transport ………………………………………70
4.5 Key aspects to consider in operating hub-and-spoke networks in container-on-barge
transport……………………………………………………………………………………………………..71
4.5.1 Location of nodes…………………………………………………………………………………………71
4.5.2 Routing of traffic………………………………………………………………………………………….73
4.5.3 Hub operations: transhipment…………………………………………………………………………74
4.6 Conclusions ………………………………………………………………………………………………..75
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….77
5 Opportunities to improve container barge handling in the port of Rotterdam
from a transport network perspective…………………………………………………………..81
5.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………..82
5.2 Characteristics of the present barge hinterland services ………………………………………84
5.3 Re-organisation of barge hinterland services: splitting of operations……………………..86
5.4 Evaluation model …………………………………………………………………………………………89
5.4.1 Reference situation……………………………………………………………………………………….90
5.4.2 Collection/distribution transport via multi-hub terminals…………………………………….92
5.4.3 Collection/distribution transport via a Barge Service Centre………………………………..94
5.4.4 Collection/distribution transport via a Container Exchange Point …………………………95
5.4.5 Sensitivity analysis on the results ……………………………………………………………………96
Contents iii
5.5 Opportunities and threats for the implementation of trunk line and
collection/distribution services……………………………………………………………………….97
5.6 Conclusions ………………………………………………………………………………………………..99
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..101
6 Terminals and the competitiveness of container barge transport…………………..103
6.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………104
6.2 A closer look at the terminals for container barge handling ……………………………….108
6.2.1 Barge handling in the seaport ……………………………………………………………………….108
6.2.2 Barge handling in the hinterland: inland terminals……………………………………………109
6.3 Developments in barge service networks………………………………………………………..110
6.4 New challenges for container barge handling ………………………………………………….114
6.4.1 Barge handling in the seaport ……………………………………………………………………….115
6.4.2 Barge handling in the capillaries of the waterway network ………………………………..119
6.4.3 Barge handling in more complex service networks…………………………………………..121
6.5 Conclusions ………………………………………………………………………………………………122
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..123
7 Integrated centres for the transshipment, storage, collection and distribution of
goods: A survey of the possibilities for a high-quality intermodal transport
concept…………………………………………………………………………………………………….125
7.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………126
7.2 The shortcomings of current intermodal transport ……………………………………………126
7.3 The concept of integrated centres for the transhipment, storage, collection and
distribution of goods …………………………………………………………………………………..128
7.4 Potential businesses for a TSCD centre ………………………………………………………….131
7.5 Potential locations for TSCD centres……………………………………………………………..131
7.6 A closer look at the Rotterdam Maasvlakte …………………………………………………….132
7.7 What a TSCD internal transport system can and cannot do………………………………..134
7.8 Conclusions ………………………………………………………………………………………………135
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..137
8 The competitiveness of intermodal transport in spatial perspective: what is the
scope of intermodal transport?…………………………………………………………………..139
8.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………140
8.2 Theoretical framework for a competition analysis ……………………………………………141
8.3 Determinants for the market scope of intermodal transport………………………………..144
8.3.1 Terminal handling………………………………………………………………………………………144
8.3.2 The intermodal network (barge and rail services) …………………………………………….146
iv Intermodal barge transport: network design, nodes and competitiveness
8.3.3 Pre- and post-truck haulage ………………………………………………………………………….151
8.4 Conclusions ………………………………………………………………………………………………156
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..158
9 The competitiveness of the river-sea transport system: market perspectives on the
United Kingdom – Germany corridor…………………………………………………………161
9.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………162
9.2 The characteristics of the River-Sea Push Barge system ……………………………………162
9.3 The competitive power of RSPB in relation to the potential ports of call ……………..163
9.3.1 Transport choice and demand model ……………………………………………………………..163
9.3.2 Assumptions of the model……………………………………………………………………………163
9.3.3 Model results …………………………………………………………………………………………….167
9.3.4 Sensitivity analysis……………………………………………………………………………………..170
9.4 Conclusions ………………………………………………………………………………………………171
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..172
10 Continuous poor profitability in the container trucking industry: is there a
way out?…………………………………………………………………………………………………..175
10.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………176
10.2 A closer look at the container trucking industry……………………………………………….179
10.3 A framework for analysis: market theory………………………………………………………..181
10.4 Some pitfalls for the profitability of the container trucking industry ……………………184
10.4.1 Variable cost-based pricing ………………………………………………………………………….184
10.4.2 Introduction of larger trucks: 3-TEU-truck ……………………………………………………..186
10.4.3 Disparities in labour costs at European scale …………………………………………………..186
10.5 Is there a way out? ……………………………………………………………………………………..187
10.6 Conclusions ………………………………………………………………………………………………190
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..192
11 Summary …………………………………………………………………………………………………195
11.1 Research question, scope and approach of the thesis…………………………………………195
11.2 Summary of results and conclusions………………………………………………………………197
11.3 Implications for policy ………………………………………………………………………………..205
11.4 Directions for further research………………………………………………………………………207
About the author ………………………………………………………………………………………………..209
Samenvatting ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..211
TRAIL Thesis Series …………………………………………………………………………………………..223
Abstract
The thesis addresses the opportunities and conditions to increase the market share of intermodal barge transport in Northwest Europe. In particular, it focuses on strategies to improve the performances of the different links of the intermodal transport chain: the barge transport services, the transhipment at terminals and pre- and post-truck haulage operations. The thesis shows that the development of more complex barge transport services, implemented for instance in collection/distribution-, trunk-feeder- and hub-and-spoke service networks, can improve the market position of barge transport in the hinterland transport of containers and enables to open up new markets for intermodal barge transport. However, to support the well-functioning of these service networks appropriate terminal and transhipment concepts are needed. Basically there are three ‘locations’ in the network where tailor-made barge handling innovations are needed: (1) in the seaport, (2) in the capillaries of the waterway network and (3) in strategically located inland nodes, e.g. to support hub-and-spoke networks. In pre- and post-truck haulage, which has a relatively large share in the total chain costs, the challenge is to improve the organisation of these hauls through combining loaded trips. In developing business areas close to waterways favourable conditions are created for efficient pre- and post-haulage and this contributes to improving the competitiveness of intermodal barge transport.
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