Activities and Reduction Strategies of Empty Container Repositioning A Regional and Inter-Regional Perspective to the Liner Shipping Industry in Sweden
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Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Supply chain management (MPSCM), MSc
Publicerad
2021
Författare
Hellekant, Rebecca
Rudal, Malin
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
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Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Containerised trade has during the last decades increased significantly and today
90% of all international trade is facilitated by maritime transportation. One of the
most important issues in the liner shipping industry is empty container repositioning
(ECR), which accounts for a substantial part of shipping line’s running costs.
This master’s thesis project aims to extend the understanding of how ECR is managed
and can be reduced in the liner shipping industry, from a regional and interregional
perspective. Key areas of investigation are the activities in the ECR management
process, performance measurements, effects of COVID-19, and potential
strategies to reduce ECR. Connections between shipping lines’ ECR activities and
various potential strategies to reduce ECR are also evaluated to explore possible
interrelations.
A frame of reference has been created from existing literature in order to develop a
theoretical basis for the study. Interviews have been conducted with representatives
of eighth of the world’s largest shipping lines, holding positions within container operations
in connection to the Port of Gothenburg. The empirical findings have been
analysed in relation to the frame of reference in order to recognise any connections
or discrepancies and further develop the understanding of the subject.
The report presents a model of the ECR management process consisting of five key
activities, and explores the use and suitability of different performance measurements
connected to ECR. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic to ECR practices is
highlighted, and six strategies applicable by shipping lines are investigated in terms
of their potential contribution to reduced ECR at a regional and inter-regional level.
Results indicate that shipping lines manage ECR through a series of interrelated
and iterative activities, repositioning containers to fulfil a container export or import
need. Measurements to guide and evaluate the ECR management process are used in
moderation as many activities are still performed manually, decreasing the ability to
assess ECR performance. Furthermore, the results highlight the complexity of ECR
and indicates that the potential strategies contribute to reduced ECR in multiple
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Empty Container Repositioning, Liner Shipping Industry, ECR Strategies, ECR Management Process, Regional and Inter-regional Repositioning.