IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/transa/v133y2020icp197-213.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Empty container repositioning with foldable containers in a river transport network considering the limitations of bridge heights

Author

Listed:
  • Zhang, Ruiyou
  • Huang, Chao
  • Feng, Xuehao

Abstract

River–sea intermodal transport is becoming increasingly popular for container repositioning in hinterland areas, owing to its cost-efficiency and low energy consumption. However, bridge heights and water depths may restrict the sailing of container vessels on rivers, which presents a challenge for the wider implementation of river–sea intermodal transport. In this study, we investigate the potential of foldable containers to improve empty container repositioning in river–sea intermodal transport, with consideration of bridge height and water depth constraints. A mathematical model is developed to minimize the total cost. Numerical experiments based on near-practical instances on the Yangtze River in China are conducted to test the effectiveness of the model and the efficiency of foldable containers. The results show that introducing foldable containers into empty container repositioning along a river can utilize vessel space more effectively and decrease the total cost for container shipping companies. The joint impacts of bridge heights and foldable containers on the overall performance are analyzed to obtain managerial insights. Finally, policies are suggested to facilitate the implementation of foldable containers for river–sea intermodal transport.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Ruiyou & Huang, Chao & Feng, Xuehao, 2020. "Empty container repositioning with foldable containers in a river transport network considering the limitations of bridge heights," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 197-213.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:133:y:2020:i:c:p:197-213
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2020.01.019
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965856419306330
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tra.2020.01.019?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yang, Dong & Wang, Kelly Yujie & Xu, Hua & Zhang, Zhehui, 2017. "Path to a multilayered transshipment port system: How the Yangtze River bulk port system has evolved," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 54-64.
    2. Koichi Shintani & Rob Konings & Akio Imai, 2012. "The effect of foldable containers on the costs of container fleet management in liner shipping networks," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 14(4), pages 455-479, December.
    3. Xuan Qiu & Eugene Y.C. Wong & Jasmine Siu Lee Lam, 2018. "Evaluating economic and environmental value of liner vessel sharing along the maritime silk road," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(3), pages 336-350, April.
    4. Wiegmans, Bart & Witte, Patrick, 2017. "Efficiency of inland waterway container terminals: Stochastic frontier and data envelopment analysis to analyze the capacity design- and throughput efficiency," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 12-21.
    5. I. K. Moon & Z. B. Qiu & J. H. Wang, 2015. "A combined tramp ship routing, fleet deployment, and network design problem," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(1), pages 68-91, January.
    6. Ilkyeong Moon & Hwajin Hong, 2016. "Repositioning of empty containers using both standard and foldable containers," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 18(1), pages 61-77, March.
    7. Jan Zazgornik & Manfred Gronalt & Patrick Hirsch, 2012. "A comprehensive approach to planning the deployment of transportation assets in distributing forest products," International Journal of Revenue Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 6(1/2), pages 45-61.
    8. Mohamed Grida & Chung-Yee Lee, 2018. "An empirical model for estimating berth and sailing times of mega container ships," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(8), pages 1078-1093, November.
    9. Liehui Wang & Yan Zhu & Cesar Ducruet & Mattia Bunel & Yui-yip Lau, 2018. "From hierarchy to networking: the evolution of the “twenty-first-century Maritime Silk Road” container shipping system," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(4), pages 416-435, July.
    10. Shuzhu Zhang & Xiao Ruan & Yuezhang Xia & Xuehao Feng, 2018. "Foldable container in empty container repositioning in intermodal transportation network of Belt and Road Initiative: strengths and limitations," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(3), pages 351-369, April.
    11. Lee, Sangyoon & Moon, Ilkyeong, 2020. "Robust empty container repositioning considering foldable containers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 280(3), pages 909-925.
    12. Wang, Shuaian & Meng, Qiang & Sun, Zhuo, 2013. "Container routing in liner shipping," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 1-7.
    13. Sun, Zhuo & Zheng, Jianfeng, 2016. "Finding potential hub locations for liner shipping," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 93(PB), pages 750-761.
    14. Feng Lian & Jiaru Jin & Zhongzhen Yang, 2019. "Optimal container ship size: a global cost minimization approach," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(7), pages 802-817, October.
    15. Kaiser, Ilza Machado & Bezerra, Barbara Stolte & Castro, Leslie Ivana Serino, 2013. "Is the environmental policies procedures a barrier to development of inland navigation and port management? A case of study in Brazil," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 78-86.
    16. Zhang, Ruiyou & Zhao, Haishu & Moon, Ilkyeong, 2018. "Range-based truck-state transition modeling method for foldable container drayage services," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 225-239.
    17. Ying Wang & Gi-Tae Yeo, 2019. "Transshipment hub port selection for shipping carriers in a dual hub-port system," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(6), pages 701-714, August.
    18. Qiang Meng & Shuaian Wang & Henrik Andersson & Kristian Thun, 2014. "Containership Routing and Scheduling in Liner Shipping: Overview and Future Research Directions," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 48(2), pages 265-280, May.
    19. Jonkeren, Olaf & Jourquin, Bart & Rietveld, Piet, 2011. "Modal-split effects of climate change: The effect of low water levels on the competitive position of inland waterway transport in the river Rhine area," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 45(10), pages 1007-1019.
    20. Zheng, Jianfeng & Sun, Zhuo & Zhang, Fangjun, 2016. "Measuring the perceived container leasing prices in liner shipping network design with empty container repositioning," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 123-140.
    21. Zheng, Jianfeng & Yang, Dong, 2016. "Hub-and-spoke network design for container shipping along the Yangtze River," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 51-57.
    22. Moon, Ilkyeong & Do Ngoc, Anh-Dung & Konings, Rob, 2013. "Foldable and standard containers in empty container repositioning," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 107-124.
    23. Witte, Patrick & Wiegmans, Bart & van Oort, Frank & Spit, Tejo, 2014. "Governing inland ports: a multi-dimensional approach to addressing inland port–city challenges in European transport corridors," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 42-52.
    24. Caris, An & Limbourg, Sabine & Macharis, Cathy & van Lier, Tom & Cools, Mario, 2014. "Integration of inland waterway transport in the intermodal supply chain: a taxonomy of research challenges," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 126-136.
    25. Veenstra, Albert & Notteboom, Theo, 2011. "The development of the Yangtze River container port system," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 772-781.
    26. Du, Yuquan & Meng, Qiang & Wang, Shuaian & Kuang, Haibo, 2019. "Two-phase optimal solutions for ship speed and trim optimization over a voyage using voyage report data," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 88-114.
    27. Rob Konings, 2005. "Foldable Containers to Reduce the Costs of Empty Transport? A Cost–Benefit Analysis from a Chain and Multi-Actor Perspective," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 7(3), pages 223-249, September.
    28. Li, Feng & Yang, Dong & Wang, Shuaian & Weng, Jinxian, 2019. "Ship routing and scheduling problem for steel plants cluster alongside the Yangtze River," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 198-210.
    29. Shintani, Koichi & Konings, Rob & Imai, Akio, 2010. "The impact of foldable containers on container fleet management costs in hinterland transport," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(5), pages 750-763, September.
    30. Zhongzhen Yang & Haiping Shi & Kang Chen & Hongli Bao, 2014. "Optimization of container liner network on the Yangtze River," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(1), pages 79-96, January.
    31. Dong Yang & Shuaian Wang, 2017. "Analysis of the development potential of bulk shipping network on the Yangtze River," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(4), pages 512-523, May.
    32. Smid, Martijn & Dekker, Sander & Wiegmans, Bart, 2016. "Modeling the cost sensitivity of intermodal inland waterway terminals: A scenario based approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 112-122.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Elżbieta Szaruga & Elżbieta Załoga, 2022. "Qualitative–Quantitative Warning Modeling of Energy Consumption Processes in Inland Waterway Freight Transport on River Sections for Environmental Management," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Najafi, Mehdi & Zolfagharinia, Hossein, 2021. "Pricing and quality setting strategy in maritime transportation: Considering empty repositioning and demand uncertainty," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    3. Cui, Haipeng & Chen, Shukai & Chen, Rui & Meng, Qiang, 2022. "A two-stage hybrid heuristic solution for the container drayage problem with trailer reposition," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 299(2), pages 468-482.
    4. Feng, Xuehao & Song, Rui & Yin, Wenwei & Yin, Xiaowei & Zhang, Ruiyou, 2023. "Multimodal transportation network with cargo containerization technology: Advantages and challenges," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 128-143.
    5. Zirui Liang & Ryuichi Shibasaki & Yuji Hoshino, 2021. "Do Foldable Containers Enhance Efficient Empty Container Repositioning under Demand Fluctuation?—Case of the Pacific Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, April.
    6. Jeong, Yoonjea & Kim, Gwang, 2023. "Reliable design of container shipping network with foldable container facility disruption," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    7. Fan Bu & Heather Nachtmann, 2023. "Literature review and comparative analysis of inland waterways transport: “Container on Barge”," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 25(1), pages 140-173, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Myung, Young-Soo & Yu, Yung-Mok, 2020. "Freight transportation network model with bundling option," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    2. Zirui Liang & Ryuichi Shibasaki & Yuji Hoshino, 2021. "Do Foldable Containers Enhance Efficient Empty Container Repositioning under Demand Fluctuation?—Case of the Pacific Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, April.
    3. Zheng, Jianfeng & Yang, Dong, 2016. "Hub-and-spoke network design for container shipping along the Yangtze River," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 51-57.
    4. Shintani, Koichi & Konings, Rob & Imai, Akio, 2019. "Combinable containers: A container innovation to save container fleet and empty container repositioning costs," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 248-272.
    5. Koichi Shintani & Rob Konings & Etsuko Nishimura & Akio Imai, 2020. "The impact of foldable containers on the cost of empty container relocation in the hinterland of seaports," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 22(1), pages 68-101, March.
    6. Zhao, Yiran & Yang, Zhongzhen & Haralambides, Hercules, 2019. "Optimizing the transport of export containers along China's coronary artery: The Yangtze River," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 11-25.
    7. Chen, Rui & Meng, Qiang & Jia, Peng, 2022. "Container port drayage operations and management: Past and future," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    8. Li, Feng & Yang, Dong & Wang, Shuaian & Weng, Jinxian, 2019. "Ship routing and scheduling problem for steel plants cluster alongside the Yangtze River," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 198-210.
    9. Zhang, Ruiyou & Zhao, Haishu & Moon, Ilkyeong, 2018. "Range-based truck-state transition modeling method for foldable container drayage services," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 225-239.
    10. Jeong, Yoonjea & Saha, Subrata & Moon, Ilkyeong, 2020. "Optimal devanning time and detention charges for container supply chains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    11. Jeong, Yoonjea & Saha, Subrata & Chatterjee, Debajyoti & Moon, Ilkyeong, 2018. "Direct shipping service routes with an empty container management strategy," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 123-142.
    12. Zheng, Jianfeng & Sun, Zhuo & Zhang, Fangjun, 2016. "Measuring the perceived container leasing prices in liner shipping network design with empty container repositioning," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 123-140.
    13. Jeong, Yoonjea & Kim, Gwang, 2023. "Reliable design of container shipping network with foldable container facility disruption," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    14. Fan, Tijun & Pan, Qianlan & Pan, Fei & Zhou, Wei & Chen, Jingyi, 2020. "Intelligent logistics integration of internal and external transportation with separation mode," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    15. Zheng, Jianfeng & Qi, Jingwen & Sun, Zhuo & Li, Feng, 2018. "Community structure based global hub location problem in liner shipping," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 1-19.
    16. Liu, Weichen & Cao, Youhui & Chen, Jianglong & Guo, Jiaying & Liang, Shuangbo, 2023. "Organization of river-sea container transportation in the Yangtze River: Processes and mechanisms," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    17. Wetzel, Daniel & Tierney, Kevin, 2024. "Rethinking cyclic structures in liner shipping networks," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 316(2), pages 556-568.
    18. Xing, Hui & Spence, Stephen & Chen, Hua, 2020. "A comprehensive review on countermeasures for CO2 emissions from ships," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    19. Kolar, Petr & Schramm, Hans-Joachim & Prockl, Günter, 2018. "Intermodal transport and repositioning of empty containers in Central and Eastern Europe hinterland," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 73-82.
    20. Alaa Abdelshafie & May Salah & Tomaž Kramberger & Dejan Dragan, 2022. "Repositioning and Optimal Re-Allocation of Empty Containers: A Review of Methods, Models, and Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-23, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:133:y:2020:i:c:p:197-213. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/547/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.