Review of Intermodal Transport and Logistics Research

The assignment requires reviewing literature on intermodal transport in freight distribution, physical internet, synchromodal transport, and logistics research. It involves analyzing articles from books and journals, identifying key concepts, and summarizing findings to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in this area.

International
Intermodal / Hubs

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................1
Features of Intermodal ...............................................................................................................1
Logistic management strategies for resolving operational concerns .........................................2
Identified problems with present network of New South Wales government (NSW)................3
How they might be resolved the Logistics Network ..................................................................5
What, if any, involvement should the NSW Government have in the resolution of the
problems......................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Intermodal is defined as the strategy which uses different types of transportation methods
such as sea, air or land. The freights in this logistic approach uses standard containers for
transporting cargo. The containers used in intermodal methods are durable and are constructed
with strong material like steel so that goods can be delivered safely between various modes
(Christopher, 2016). The report will analyse the characteristics of intermodal by using case study
of Moorebank Intermodal company (MIC). This organisation facilitates the intermodal terminal
for Moorebank so that the growing freight movement can be accomplished with properly in
Sydney. This document will identify the logistic management strategy for addressing the
operational issues of the company (Agamez-Arias and Moyano-Fuentes, 2017. The report will
also analyse the drawbacks and concerns in present network of logistic in Sydney and methods to
resolve them.
Features of Intermodal
These transportation structures have proved to be effective innovation in the area of
logistic. With the use of containers it is very easy for this mode to move shipment from one
location to other without facing any difficulty in changing the mode of shipment. Thus, to make
the shipment cost effective different modes such as rails, airways or ships can be used. The
containers used in the process have similar characteristics and are designed with a way that they
can be loaded easily on all types of transportation mechanism (Jacobs, Chase and Lummus,
2014). This feature of intermodal gives benefit that the final goods and products are not opened
or damaged. There are important features of Intermodel such as reduced cost and complexity,
reduced card emissions, improve security and safety, reduce the cost of fuel or oil, reduce
congestions etc. these are important features that help for improving the efficiency for services.
Hence, this way is more secure as compare to methods of shipment involving single
mode. For successful supply chain and logistic management in shipment of imports-exports as
well as cross continental goods the standardised container feature of intermodal is highly
suitable. Along with the higher aspects of security level it also provides benefits of flexibility and
effective cost management. These approaches used by Moorebank Intermodal company are
friendly as well. The movement of goods on different modes is easily accomplished. It is
possible for the company to deliver shipment through least expensive and environment effective
pathway (.Ambra, Caris and Macharis, 2018).
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For example lorry emits greater emission of harmful gases as compare to train for the
same distance. Another important features of this method are reliability and capacity (Myerson,
2015). It allows MIC to enhance the monitoring and controlling of supply chain. The loading and
unloading of the containers takes place only at specific terminals of MIC which are located in
Sydney and other head quarter locations. For example- one intermodal train take 300 long lorry
off in crowded areas and high ways.
Logistic management strategies for resolving operational concerns
Logistic management deals with handling of all issues and concerns involved in flow of
shipments from their origin to destination where they are required to be delivered. Moorebank
Intermodal company experiences various issues in its operational activities due to the barriers
and errors in its logistic management. In order to achieve its objectives and business goals it is
required for the organisation to address these issues (König and Spinler, 2016). These issues can
be resolved by implementation and regular monitoring of following logistic strategies.
 The company must have clear guidelines regarding procedures and methods involved in
production planning as well as its shipment. The clear set of rules will enable
organisation to develop a standard framework to manage their operational tasks
effectively. Moore bank organization is performing different operations and functions but
sometimes, it can generate error in the management system (Chenand Schonfeld, 2017).
It is important for controlling the issue in business system to implements new strategy
and approach to control issue and problem.
 Planning is one of the most important parameter for every operational and business
aspects. Moorebank Intermodal company must consider the factors such as storage
location, shipment procedure and method and goods procurement(Van
RiessenNegenborn and Dekker, 2015). The supply chain manager of organisation must
have flow chart which will analyse these factors in alignment with the factors like cost,
time and customer satisfaction. Moore bank is planning an effective strategy which is
useful for providing the best quality of services. This organization follows some specific
structure and chart to identify the need and requirement of customer (Christopher, 2016).
Strategy planning is the best technique to provide the better good and services in
marketplace.
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 The advanced technologies are very useful for enhancing the efficiency of the logistics.
The organisation can improve its quality by applying the process of automation. For
example the specific application based database and software will help company to keep
and monitor the track record of each of their activity. This monitoring will provide them
easy tool to manage the data and to enhance the speed of their work. There are various
platforms available in marketplace and Moore bank also use modern technology to
manage their entire business process. Each and every organization is mandatory for
increasing their business activities across the world (Colicchia, Creazza and Dallari,
2017). An advancement of technology help for increasing the efficiency of vehicle and
their services which is important for growth and development.
 Logistic team must consist of highly skilled and efficient workforce who can manage the
adverse situation. Various innovations in packaging and shortest routing path for
shipment can greatly affect the operational cost and benefits of logistic. Logistics team
mainly focus on their goals and achievements. This team will innovate new idea and
implements in business process (Fabbe-Costes and Colin, 2017). Moore bank is hired the
efficient team member influence towards the growth and development. Innovation is
required for organization because it clearly the visibility of targets and goals.
 Service and cost metrics can be maintained by the company so that it can analyse its
performance and can make necessary improvements. Moore bank uses different tools and
platform for measuring overall budget and cost of organization. This is important for
company to identifying the need and requirement. Afterwards, fulfilled the need of
customer and enterprises (acobs, Chase and Lummus, 2014.. Cost complexity is
generated in organization so it is required for organization to develop planning to identify
the actual calculations regarding budget and cost.
Identified problems with present network of New South Wales government (NSW)
Moorebank Intermodal company is managed by the government of NSW. Though the
company has good number of consumers but there are certain issues in its present network. If the
company will not resolve these problems then, in long term they may affect the operational
activities of MIC. The major identified problems are as follows:
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 The regularly changing fuel cost and warehouse expenses highly affects the performance.
Thus, appropriate strategies must be made to deal with these changes so that fuel price
variations does not affect the profits. It can be managed by reducing packaging expenses
or other unnecessary resource utilisation in warehouse(Van RiessenNegenborn and
Dekker, 2015).
 Government regulations for international trading are key factors for logistic system.
Thus, failure to their compliance is resulting in increased taxation. The problem can be
solved by creating training sessions to the employees of MIC(Van RiessenNegenborn and
Dekker, 2015).
 There are higher risk of undesired events such as accidents, fire hazards. In such cases the
losses can be severe. The company can deal with these issues by seeking cargo insurance.
 Globalisation and rapidly changing technologies are affecting the overall performance of
the company. To sustain the long term growth the company must monitor the changes in
techniques as well as in legal implications. It will help Moorebank Intermodal company
to avoid legal barriers (König and Spinler, 2016).
 The organisation can use various tools for assuring the quality of its logistic management.
The training and development sessions must be help regularly so that logistic teams must
be aware of the advancement and strategies for achieving goals (Fabbe-Costes and Colin,
20170.
How they might be resolved the Logistics Network
Logistics is defined as council of supply chain for managing the business process.
Logistics is a process which help for planning, controlling and implementing the better services
and provide the effective and efficient transportation services. This process includes information
and their services related point of origin. Network logistics is present all around whether it is the
form of production and delivery. This network will deliver a hundred head of cattle from
Australia. Logistics plays important role in business environment and it allows the Moorebank
organization to achieve their efficiency (Kreutzberger and Konings, 2016). It is the one of most
research area that is widely applicable in supply chain.
Logistics challenges create obstacle and distraction in the business process. It is difficult
for facing many processes and functions. For increasing the pressure, it affects the business
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environment and can be seen as global logistics challenges. Logistics challenge are faced
Moorebank every day whether the business focus is logistics oriented or not.
There are the most important challenge problems in network logistics discuss in given below:
Cutting Transportation cost- This is the most challenges part of network logistics with
20 year of expertise, this network will provide leverage the strength size and having experience
to provide discounts on rail transportation, ground, air and ocean services(Van
RiessenNegenborn and Dekker, 2015).
Business process improvement- for improvement, Moor bank company work for
extending the team strength to determine the weakest point of supply chain after ware, they will
help for repair the services. Moor bank planning an effective strategy which help for providing to
supply chain and they mainly focus on facilities and services to deal with the company.
Improved customer service and Supply chain visibility-- An advancement of technology
is the best solution to improve the customer services. Technology help for increasing visibility
towards both internationally and domestically (Myerson, 2015). Experience is more compatible
to predict the greater visibility to improve customer services.
Managing inventory- Moore bank is manage and operate the ware house facility all over
the world. This organisation provides the services in various areas such as west coast, Mid west
and North-east that expertise employee to manage the entire business process effectively and
efficiently (Raimbault, Jacobs and Van Dongen, 2016). WMS modern technology provides
visibility to entire business process.
Retaining and training labour- It is required for Moore bank to hire trained and skilled
employee that understand the need and requirement of business operations and functions. This is
important for providing training to employee which required for company.
What, if any, involvement should the NSW Government have in the resolution of the problems
NSW government is highly aware about the effective and efficient for managing,
promoting and sustaining regional or national economy performance. The role of freight logistics
plays important role in environmental sustainability in transportation sector. This sector is
becoming increasing their quality like air, green house gas and freight movements. Freight
logistics operations in Australia is participated for contributing towards the country economy and
it also directly impact on environment sustainability (Talarico and Zamparini, 2017).
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Freight logistics is plays important role in business world to ensure the competition level
in economic sector while increasing the business working environment and global economy of
country. Moore bank is provide the best quality of services to their customer because they always
aware about the policies and making an effective strategy for increasing growth and
development. The most important challenges in Australia such as rail, road and freight corridors
etc. Government should engage in intermodalism approach in transportation and commerce that
will allow stakeholders to enter into partnership. The government support and policy help for
enhancing the sustainable efficiency (Van RiessenNegenborn and Dekker, 2015).
The government uses transport policy which depend upon on the government
involvement towards his ownership, transport operations and provision etc. NSW government is
planning, pricing and investment for taking important decision regarding transportation structure
and their operations. The government need to be plan an effective strategy regarding freight
logistics for resolve the problem and issue discuss in given below:
 The government is responsible to recover the cost of externalities form transport facilities
and services.
 Moore bank is help for economic sustainability of nation and also contributing to
generate high revenue that is beneficial for organizations.
 NSW government provide the facilities to paid the taxes and fees to mange the
information services and infrastructure. This is main source of revenue to maintain the
country economy.
 The government influence the business to use efficient transport infrastructure and
promoting modal shifts.
 Freight logistics sector provide an effective or standardisation infrastructure and improve
the efficiency of freight logistics sector(Van RiessenNegenborn and Dekker, 2015).
 The government has some specific role for supporting non profit information services and
their infrastructure. It also helps for providing the facilities flow of information in
logistics business activities.
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 Government can measure different aspects of business process and influencer for made
decision by stakeholder. The government provide different policies, legislations,
regulations and strategies for solving the problem of logistics.
 Environment policies help for implements taxes and charges and cover overall cost of
externalities.
 Rules and regulatory can measure the efficiency of business process such as licensing etc.
 Government policy useful for promoting the transport facility and efficiency in
marketplace(Van RiessenNegenborn and Dekker, 2015).
 Privatisation and Deregulation is encouraged the competition level in marketplace.
CONCLUSION
As per report, it can conclude that intermodal approach and strategy useful for
transportation system. It also describes the freights in this logistic approach uses standard
containers for transporting cargo. The containers used in intermodal methods are durable and are
constructed with strong material like steel so that goods can be delivered safely between various
modes. Further it also analyses the features and characteristics of intermodal by using case study
of Moorebank Intermodal company (MIC). This assignment also identify the logistic
management strategy for addressing the operational issues of the company. In this report, It also
analyses the drawbacks and concerns in present network of logistic in Sydney and methods to
resolve them.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Agamez-Arias, A.D.M. and Moyano-Fuentes, J., 2017. Intermodal transport in freight
distribution: a literature review. Transport Reviews, 37(6), pp.782-807.
Ambra, T., Caris, A. and Macharis, C., 2018. Towards freight transport system unification:
reviewing and combining the advancements in the physical internet and synchromodal transport
research. International Journal of Production Research, pp.1-18.
Chen, C.C. and Schonfeld, P., 2017. A hybrid heuristic technique for optimal coordination in
intermodal logistics scheduling. International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 9(4),
pp.475-499.
Christopher, M., 2016. Logistics & supply chain management. Pearson UK.
Colicchia, C., Creazza, A. and Dallari, F., 2017. Lean and green supply chain management
through intermodal transport: insights from the fast moving consumer goods
industry. Production Planning & Control, 28(4), pp.321-334.
Fabbe-Costes, N. and Colin, J., 2017. Formulating logistics strategy. In Global Logistics And
Distribution Planning (pp. 83-104). Routledge.
Jacobs, F.R., Chase, R.B. and Lummus, R.R., 2014.Operations and supply chain
management (pp. 533-535). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
König, A. and Spinler, S., 2016. The effect of logistics outsourcing on the supply chain
vulnerability of shippers: Development of a conceptual risk management framework.The
International Journal of Logistics Management, 27(1), pp.122-141.
Kreutzberger, E. and Konings, R., 2016. The challenge of appropriate hub terminal and hub-and-
spoke network development for seaports and intermodal rail transport in Europe. Research in
Transportation Business & Management, 19, pp.83-96.
Myerson, P., 2015. Supply chain and logistics management made easy: Methods and
applications for planning, operations, integration, control and improvement, and network
design. Pearson Education.
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Raimbault, N., Jacobs, W. and Van Dongen, F., 2016. Port regionalisation from a relational
perspective: The rise of Venlo as Dutch international logistics hub. Tijdschrift voor economische
en sociale geografie, 107(1), pp.16-32.
Talarico, L. and Zamparini, L., 2017. Intermodal transport and international flows of illicit
substances: Geographical analysis of smuggled goods in Italy. Journal of transport
geography, 60, pp.1-10.
Van Riessen, B., Negenborn, R.R. and Dekker, R., 2015, September. Synchromodal container
transportation: an overview of current topics and research opportunities. In International
Conference on Computational Logistics (pp. 386-397). Springer, Cham.
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