Category: Marine

Managing Supply Chain Uncertainty by Building Flexibility in Container Port Capacity: A Logistics Triad Perspective and the COVID-19 Case

By Dawn Russell, Kusumal Ruamsook📧, and Violeta Roso

In Maritime Economics & Logistics, 2022, 24:92–113. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41278-020-00168-1

The contemporary supply chains in which container ports logistics operate are characterized by increased uncertainties driven by a range of factors such as socioeconomic factors and changing supply chain strategies in response to market dynamics. Recently, the occurrences and effects of these factors on global economic activities, and thus container port logistics, have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Enabling flexibility in port logistics is more important than ever to navigate uncertainties, now and in the post-COVID-19 world. This paper seeks to develop a conceptual framework to holistically capture different dimensions of container port logistics capacity. A systematic literature review method is employed to formulate a conceptual framework depicting the structure of various elements of capacity and the interplay among the logistics triad of transport carriers, port operators, and logistics service providers whose interactions and service capacities constitute the overall capacity of the system. The study reveals four dimensions of port logistics capacity, namely seaside interface, platform, landside interface, and system-wide, each of which consists of subelements that can be distinguished into static or adjustable. The proposed framework provides insights corresponding to the logistics triad roles and interactions within the system for understanding uncertainty characteristics, assessing various elements of capacity, and identifying potential levers to build flexibility into these interrelated capacity elements.

Keywords: Container freight transportation; Port logistics; Capacity; Uncertainty; Flexibility; Logistics triad; COVID-19

An Analysis of The West Coast Port Congestion Post-Pandemic

By Ke Zheng, supervised by Robert A. Novack📧 (Thesis Supervisor) and John C. Spychalski📧 (Honors Advisor) (2022)

As the global economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the two major west coast ports in the United States, Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, have been suffering from severe congestion, thus heavily impacting the supply chain in the United States. While imports continue to grow, it is urgent for public sectors and businesses to develop strategies to cope with congestion and minimize its subsequent impact on the supply chain. This thesis will seek to understand the underlying factors leading to the congestion by analyzing publicly available publications and data as well as evaluating the strategies adopted by businesses and public sectors in response to the issue. This thesis concludes with seven recommendations to help businesses adapt to the congestion and assist in future prevention.

Access the paper at Electronic Theses for Schreyer Honors College (ETDA) website here.

A Review of the Jones Act and Recommendations for a Renewed Merchant Marine

By Michael Ian Lawn, supervised by Robert A. Novack📧 (Thesis Supervisor) and John C. Spychalski📧 (Honors Advisor) (2020)

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the Jones Act and the U.S. merchant fleet to determine if changes to the act are necessary and offer recommendations that could improve the act. The Jones Act, which specifically refers to Section 27 of the “Merchant Marine Act of 1920”, sets the requirements for ships to be United States flagged and eligible to transport goods and people between two United States ports. The Jones Act has remained untouched since it was passed in 1920 after the negative experiences the United States maritime industry faced during World War I. Many papers and debates have been had regarding the Jones Act over the years with the debate heating up more recently. Thus, it appeared to be an important time to gain a greater understanding of the act and its effects on the United States.

Access the paper at Electronic Theses for Schreyer Honors College (ETDA) website here.

Blockchain Technology: An Analysis of Application Uses within Supply Chain

By Taylor M. Peterson, supervised by Robert A. Novack📧 (Thesis Supervisor) and John C. Spychalski📧 (Honors Advisor) (2018)

As technology advances, it is important to continually explore and develop these new technologies. Blockchain technology is a platform that has received a lot of recognition lately having been cited as ‘revolutionary.’ However, opponents of the technology claim that the platform is over hyped. This thesis seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of blockchain technology, and how this technology has the potential to impact supply chains around the world. This thesis will give an in-depth description of the history of blockchain and how it works. This thesis will than explore how blockchain technology can be applied within supply chains and what the challenges and limitations may be. Finally, this thesis will conclude with a recommendation as to what application the company could benefit from and how to implement the specific application.

Access the paper at Electronic Theses for Schreyer Honors College (ETDA) website here.

Panama Canal Expansion Impacts on U.S. East Coast Ports

By Cara M. Ulizio, supervised by Robert A. Novack📧 (Thesis Supervisor) and John C. Spychalski📧 (Honors Advisor) (2017)

The Panama Canal serves as the passageway that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean which reduces vessel transit time by allowing vessels routed to the U.S. East Coast to avoid sailing around South America. In response to larger vessel sizes and the global shipping industry, the Panama Canal began an expansion project in late 2007 that was completed in May of 2016. The changes to the Panama Canal are impacting the global shipping industry, shipping traffic and individual ports. In anticipation of heightened shipping traffic, U.S. East Coast Ports heavily invested and upgraded their port capabilities. The four ports of Boston, New York-New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Baltimore are examined by analyzing their current capabilities and port improvement initiatives. Recommendations are then made to the individual ports and two strategies are discussed which can be adopted by any of the ports along the East Coast. The study concludes by looking at the relevance of the expansion of the Panama Canal and port improvements in relation to the future of the global shipping industry and increasing vessel sizes.

Access the paper at Electronic Theses for Schreyer Honors College (ETDA) website here.

Technology Theme Identification and Assessment of Logistics Application

By Steve Tracey📧, Kusumal Ruamsook📧, and Lauren Bechtel (2017)

Game-changing technologies in supply chain and logistics are identified in this document based on a literature survey.  The study includes literature and secondary data sources published on topics related to supply chain and logistics technologies within approximately three-year timeframe (2014–2017).  Data sources are Penn State library database, managerial magazines, industry reports, and websites of relevant industry associations.  Data are analyzed to identify key technology themes, based on which an assessment framework is developed for the evaluation of application trends across five multi-modal logistics sectors, including road transport, rail transport, maritime transport, port system, and 3PL/4PL service providers.  The evaluation focuses both on the processes/activities of applications, and attributes for supply chain success potentially enabled by the technology applications (e.g. efficiency, visibility, adaptability, environmental sustainability, and health and safety).  Technology glossary is also provided.

View the document here

Suggested citation

Tracey, Steve, Kusumal Ruamsook, and Lauren Bechtel. 2017. “Technology Theme Identification and Assessment of Logistics Application.” Resource, Center for Supply Chain Research® (CSCR®), The Pennsylvania State University.

Transportation Technology Innovations

By Kusumal Ruamsook📧 (2016)

This document is prepared as part of presentation materials on the topic of transportation technology innovations.  Applications of game-changing technologies in transportation and logistics identified in this document are based on a literature survey.  The study includes literature and secondary data sources published on topics related to transport and logistics technologies within approximately three-year timeframe (2014–2017).  Data sources are Penn State library database, managerial magazines, industry reports, and websites of relevant industry associations.

View the document here

Suggested citation

Ruamsook, Kusumal. 2016. “Transportation Technology Innovations.” Resource, Center for Supply Chain Research® (CSCR®), The Pennsylvania State University.

Seaport-Inland Port Dynamics: An Investigation of Service Provisions and Intermodal Transportation Linkages

By Violeta Roso, Dawn Russell, Kusumal Ruamsook📧, and Gunnar Stefansson

In World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research 2015. 5 (3): 263–280. https://doi.org/10.1504/WRITR.2015.069242

This research investigates the operational and logistical dynamics of seaports and inland ports. Face-to-face semi-structure interviews were conducted on three seaport-inland port dyads that actively use intermodal transportation to move freight between the seaports and connected inland ports. The three dyads are the port of Virginia and Virginia Inland Port (VIP) in the USA, the Port of Sydney and Minto terminal in Australia, and the Port of Gothenburg and Hallsberg terminal in Sweden. Findings of this research provide essential understanding of the range of services provided at the three inland ports studied, offering a benchmark for ports around the world in devising their business portfolio.

Purchase the full article from the publisher web site here.

The Real Impact of High Transportation Costs

By John J. Coyle📧, Dawn Russell, Kusumal Ruamsook📧, and Evelyn Thomchick📧

In CSCMP’s Supply Chain Quarterly, 2014

During the 1990s and the first part of the 21st century, the high availability and low cost of transportation services relative to the cost of holding inventory encouraged organizations to emphasize fast, frequent delivery to customers through such means as just-in-time delivery. But things have changed dramatically in the last decade, and companies increasingly are calling such long-standing strategies into question. The “game changers” are volatile, escalating oil prices and an imbalance of supply and demand for freight transport services. These realities have led to high transportation costs—high enough to cause companies to make transport-driven shifts in their supply chain strategies.

View the full article from the publisher web site here.