Background: The growing complexity of logistics and supply chain management, particularly in third-party logistics (3PL) providers, highlights the need for effective competency models tailored to evolving operational demands. Current frameworks often lack the technical depth and global applicability required for this context. Approach: This study combines a bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review of publications from 1995 to 2024 to assess existing competency frameworks in the logistics sector. Key themes such as digitalization, sustainability, performance, and strategic management were identified. The review specifically focused on the role of logistics operations managers in 3PL environments. Findings: The analysis highlighted the importance of continuous learning and digital competencies such as IoT, AI, and big data analytics for logistics professionals. However, most existing competency models overlook the specific requirements and practical realities of 3PL operations managers. This gap underscores the need for more context-sensitive and field-oriented frameworks in logistics competency research. Contribution: In response, this study proposes an integrative, multidimensional competency framework of 3 PL operations manager combining technical, managerial, transversal and linguistics competencies. Designed to be scalable and aligned with global logistics standards, the model provides a robust foundation for competency-based human capital strategies in 3PL and global supply chains.
David King Boison, Musah Osumanu Doumbia, Ahmed Antwi-Boampong
et al.
This study explores the application of blockchain (BC) technology in enhancing terminal operations at West African seaports, with a specific focus on Tema Port in Ghana. The purpose is to address inefficiencies in cargo processing, traceability, and data integrity that often impede port performance. Using a multi-layered qualitative approach, including observation and value stream mapping, the study examines current operational challenges at Tema Port and proposes a BC adoption model tailored to ship operations, quay transfers, yard management, container freight stations, and receipt/delivery processes. The findings suggest that BC technology significantly improves transparency, operational efficiency, and data security across port processes, offering a unified ledger system accessible to all stakeholders. Based on these findings, the study recommends a phased BC implementation, beginning with targeted pilot programs to mitigate technological and infrastructural constraints common in developing regions. Implications for port managers, policymakers, and academics underscore BC’s potential to reduce operational costs, enhance real-time visibility, and improve compliance in port logistics. This study is limited by its focus on terminal operations at a single port; future research could explore BC’s impact on other areas of the maritime supply chain across multiple ports. The originality of this study lies in its contextualized BC model for West African ports, addressing specific challenges faced by developing regions and offering a foundational framework for future BC applications in logistics.
Este trabalho objetivou lançar luz sobre a necessidade de corrigir-se lacuna legislativa, no que tange ao instituto da prescrição no Tribunal Marítimo. A lei orgânica dessa Corte, por linhas tortas, acabou por trazer a ideia de imprescritibilidade, em rota de colisão com a Constituição Federal de 1988, não sendo, portanto, por ela, nesse particular, recepcionada. Vislumbrou-se a possibilidade de interpretação teleológica, imaginando-se a vontade do poder legiferante em estabelecer interrupção do prazo, não tratando do prazo em si. Ainda assim, a lacuna permaneceria, em razão de se ter a interrupção de um prazo desconhecido ou indeterminado. Eis a síntese do problema. A metodologia utilizada nesta pesquisa foi a sistêmico-dialética, com o concurso da legislação processual vigente, em cotejo com a doutrina especializada. Ao fim e ao cabo, incentivou-se o estabelecimento de balizas limitadoras, por meio de resolução apropriada, para que o Tribunal Marítimo, preenchendo o vazio normativo, deixe assentado, de forma clara aos jurisdicionados, o prazo e as possibilidades de interrupção da prescrição no processo marítimo de sua competência.
Thi Yen Pham, Ngoc Cuong Truong, Phung Hung Nguyen
et al.
This study aims to assess the container terminal choice from the perspective of shipping lines. The method incorporates the technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) under fuzzy environmental conditions, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and cumulative prospect theory (CPT) to address the problem while accounting for both quantitative and qualitative criteria as well as the risk attitude of the decision-makers. This paper evaluates six container terminals in Vietnam as a case study to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. A summary of the assessment of shipping lines shows that operational efficiency is the most crucial criterion for the terminal’s choice; the Cat Lai terminal is considered the most appropriate terminal in Vietnam. In addition, prospect parameters have an impact on the best alternative. The findings could offer valuable insights for container terminal operators to enhance their competitiveness. Simultaneously, liner shipping companies stand to benefit by making informed and strategic decisions in their port selection processes.
This study aimed to analyze the research trends of inland waterways in the field of logistics by compiling previous studies that contain keywords related to inland waterways. To investigate the research trend, this study used a keyword network among the SNA methodology and deduced results using the concepts of centrality, including degree centrality, betweenness centrality, closeness centrality, and eigenvector centrality. According to the results of the comprehensive analysis by each region based on the eigenvector centrality outcome, Europe had a core keyword of modal shift, which refers to the conversion to eco-friendly vehicles due to the exhaust problem of land carriage, as well as the continuously implemented government policy. The results of China showed that the country’s task to solve was on studies aimed at reducing traffic jams in inland waterways using AIS data. In the case of the US, the problems of ship delay remain unsolved owing to old locking facilities and equipment. This study provided academic implications that clarify the state-of-the-art in this research topic in three regions that have advanced inland waterways.
Jones Alexandre Barros Soares, Gustavo Magno Felipe Franco, Vitor Ribeiro Fernandes
Diante do atual cenário de incertezas acerca dos MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships) no qual ainda não está claro como irá se operacionalizar toda a mudança de paradigma que tais embarcações causarão, parece temerário tentar predizer quais serão os impactos trabalhistas e sociais decorrentes desta mudança. Entretanto, a dita ausência de informações práticas não deve nos impedir de procurar pensar, como forma de antecipar as mudanças que virão. Antecipar para melhor nos prepararmos e, não por acaso, este é objetivo do presente artigo: projetar as consequências trabalhistas e sociais da introdução dos MASS visando, talvez, moldar este futuro com a máxima amortização de seus impactos.
A simples ideia de que o futuro da indústria de shipping consistirá em navios autônomos, parcialmente tripulados ou não tripulados, capazes, inclusive, de tomarem decisões por si só, já, automaticamente, levanta a dúvida acerca do futuro de todo o mercado de trabalho a ela dependente. Consequência lógica seria imaginar um cenário desolador de desemprego em massa de várias categorias ligadas ao transporte marítimo de bens, porém, como restará demonstrado por meio de uma análise detida, estas mudanças virão gradativamente, criando um lapso temporal importante para a adaptação da indústria e seus empregados.
A nova configuração do mercado de shipping, embasada nos sistemas físico-cibernéticos da indústria 4.0 que caracterizam a dita Quarta Revolução Industrial, exigirá a adaptação da formação dos marítimos para lidar cada vez mais com sistemas computacionais, big data e softwares, mesmo que, possivelmente, de forma remota. Ademais, desempenharão também papéis ainda inatingíveis para os computadores que, conforme será desenvolvido, se fundamentarão nas capacidades inerentes ao ser humano: criatividade e habilidades interpessoais. Daí a abordagem indispensável acerca destes tópicos na construção do raciocínio perpetrado por este estudo.
Objetiva o presente artigo, também, elucidar as consequências sociais que osMASS podem trazer e, para tanto, abordará temas igualmente importantes desde aspectos focados, como a provável mudança da cultura organizacional da atividade marítima, quanto de aspectos macros como o possível agravamento de desigualdades entre companhias e países que produzem inovações, e aqueles que apenas as consomem.
Tamanhos impactos trabalhistas e sociais em um setor estratégico para o comércio de bens mundial não podem simplesmente acontecer acriticamente como consequência de uma corrida desmedida pelo lucro. Sendo assim, também se faz necessária uma discussão final acerca do fator ético presente em todo este cenário de disrupção.
Neste ponto discutir-se-á como a ética nas organizações deve estimular asações socialmente responsáveis, fugindo do simples furor da inovação pelo lucro e privilegiando a inovação enquanto ferramenta. Em outras palavras, questionar-se-á o uso da tecnologia como um fim em si mesmo lembrando que esta é, na verdade, uma invenção feita pelo homem e para o homem.
Portanto, são esses os pontos pelos quais o presente artigo passará para auxiliar na projeção de futuro acerca do vindouro mercado de transporte marítimopor meio dos maritime autonomous surface ships. Espera-se, ao cabo, mais do que fornecer respostas prontas acerca das consequências sociais e trabalhistas que eles trarão, encorpar o debate para a melhor compreensão deste fenômeno e, assim, contribuir com o estudo desbravador desta coletânea
Jeffrey Willems, Tom Pauwels, Edwin van Hassel
et al.
Abstract With new, innovative logistics tools and frameworks coming to the market rather quickly, developing a decision support framework to assess its value before carrying out extensive, quantitative economic assessment studies and large-scale implementation is necessary. This paper focuses on developing a qualitative decision support framework—aiding the deployment of successful tools in the logistics landscape and avoiding high sunk costs without added value. Resulting in a qualitative tool based on a literature review and industry expert interviews. The derived parameter impact model assesses the importance of different parameters, allowing to find opportunities without the need for extensive information and/or investments. Therefore, the parameter impact model was applied to three different cases of waste logistics located in Flanders: (1) the use of telemetry (i.e., the use of sensors to identify the filling rate of waste collection points remotely), (2) small waste compactors on the business side, and (3) inland waterways to transport waste to treatment centers. The qualitative results can vary depending on the specific case, establishing the fundament for future innovations.
Shipment of goods. Delivery of goods, Transportation and communications
Mary R. Brooks, Geraldine Knatz, Athanasios A. Pallis
et al.
Abstract This study examines the concept of transparency as practiced (or not) in ports. It explores the availability of information to the general public and port stakeholders through the ports’ most public face—its website, studying public ports in North America, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean. This exploratory research centred on identifying the parameters that would be useful for the general public to have sufficient information to monitor, review and in many cases, participate in the decision-making processes carried out by the port authority, irrespective of whether or not laws mandate such disclosure. Fifty-one items were identified for the examination of each port’s website, focusing primarily on four major categories: decision-making governance, port communications and accessibility, transparency in reporting and in port operational activities. Using nine items as proxies for the 51, the research reveals uneven levels of port transparency both regionally and by governance model. The study reveals a need for increasing and differentiating the existing levels and standards of transparency in the governance of the port industry, and for greater consistency between ports within and across regions. The study concludes with a research agenda for future research.
Shipment of goods. Delivery of goods, Transportation and communications
Background: The components of information systems (ISCs) have become a critical factor in the adoption of enterprise application architecture (EAA) for supply chain management (SCM) within small and medium enterprises (SMEs) when used reciprocally with competent capital formation, mainframe and personal computers, application software systems, and information technology expert. The current study examined information systems components (ISCs) as they were used in the adoption of EAA in SMEs, scrutinised the Theory of Planned Behavior, and systematic literature review.
Objective: This paper seeks to contribute to the fundamental aspects of ISCs that influence the adoption of EAA for SCM in small and medium enterprises (SMSs) in South Africa, located in Limpopo Province of Capricorn District Municipality.
Methodology: A quantitative survey presented both diagnostic tests and data analysis as that of the methodological modus operandi. Descriptive data analysis generated Pearson’s correlation and coefficient, along with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression. Data was collected through stratified random sampling of SME owners and managers.
Results: The most substantial results indicate that ISCs should be integrated with transactional support systems (TSSs), management information systems (MISs), information systems governance (ISG), decision support systems (DSSs), executive support systems (ESSs), knowledge management systems (KMSs), and web application architecture (WAA) to predict EAA acceptance.
Conclusion: This article described the greatest possible direction for considering ISCs when planning to integrate EAA adoption. Furthermore, the research results provide a preliminary overview and analysis of the results that support the alternative hypothesis that ISCs influence SCM adoption and implementation of EAA in SMEs.
Shipment of goods. Delivery of goods, Transportation and communications
This paper fills the gap in the literature of applying an exponential smoothing model in the oil shipping market forecasting. The author refines the adaptive combined model with B-criterion based on Brown's model with modification by Trigg and Leach. Forecasting the values of the average time-charter equivalent of a tanker along 6 different routes of oil transportation in the world ocean during the crisis period 2015–2019. The accuracy of the proposed method is superior to naive, autoregression methods and machine learning models in all used error metrics. The obtained accuracy in 71% of cases is available for commercial use by operators and charterers of the tanker fleet.
Tomoya Kawasaki, Shinya Hanaoka, Yuri Saito
et al.
Global maritime container trade has increased during the past two decades. In many developing countries, secondary ports have been developed to complement primary ports. However, primary ports are still being used even after the development of a secondary port, notwithstanding heavy congestion at the former. Construction of new port infrastructure demands several important decisions such as port capacity and number of gantry cranes and berths, which significantly affect shippers’ port choice. This study aims to develop a port choice model in a multiple-port region as a linear city and observe the improvement in port-related factors, that is, container allocation and catchment areas of the two ports. We present a spatial model in which the hinterland is expressed as a linear city to describe the behaviors of shippers and shipping lines. As a case study, the model is applied to the Manila metropolitan area (i.e., the Manila and Batangas ports) where secondary port utilization is not as expected. Three significant insights are obtained: (i) hourly container handling volume of gantry cranes at the port is the most influential factor regarding container allocation, (ii) port-related factors affecting shipping lines are more effective than those of shippers for increasing the container volume at the port, and (iii) geographical disadvantages are limiting the increase in container volume at the Batangas port.
This paper investigates a predictive maintenance approach for marine mechanical systems via an early warning system. A machine learning methodology was used to process and analyze the dock pump back pressure, flow rate, amperage and suction pressure data. Operating parameters for a dock pump were monitored for 40 weeks and the values were manually input into the tool. Unsupervised machine learning was used in order to draw inferences from data via MATLAB. A principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm was used to improve on the selection of the key operating parameters of the dock pumps. The dock pump flow rate and suction pressure, were the principal components that were 99.707% sufficient to explain the variation in the data. Using the dataset explained by the PCA, two data classes were later used in the SVM algorithm for a binary classification approach. The developed tool predicted that the dock pump may fail/requires maintenance between seventh and eighth weeks. This prediction deviated from the actual ten weeks that it took the dock pump to fail. A prediction deviation from the actual failure time to failure could be attributed to the quality of the historical failure and maintenance data. Nevertheless, with less ambiguity of the data, the maintenance prediction tool can be used as a basis before sensor technology on the dock pumps is implemented.
In the port industry, productivity is one of the vital factors for ports to develop competitiveness and market potential. The paper integrates context-dependent data envelopment analysis and forecasting models to conduct an efficient measurement of 53 Vietnamese ports and predict future performance in the port industry. By using the technique to get the measure of performance, this study builds the ports’ benchmark-learning stepping tools for the inefficient ports to enhance increasingly. The attractiveness and progress scores are resulted to assist the ports in situating themselves. Moreover, forecasting port performance results help decision-makers having more detailed information to make better decisions in their strategies and investments.
Shipping companies have proactively participated in various strategic alliances within the industry to improve their competitive advantage. Previous studies have addressed how shipping companies gain benefits from strategic alliances. However, despite its significance, only a few studies have explored how shipping companies can systematically achieve alliances within the industry. This study examines the key determinants of successful strategic alliances in the shipping industry by analyzing the factors affecting alliance performance. These factors include inter-firm coordination, organizational learning, and alliance costs. This study also considers the moderating effect of alliance duration on the relationships between these factors and alliance performance. The results of this study show that the extent of inter-firm coordination and organizational learning have positive effects on alliance performance while alliance costs have a negative impact. Additionally, alliance duration has a moderating effect on the relationships between those three factors and alliance performance. These findings provide meaningful insights on how shipping companies can manage shipping alliances with their partners by simultaneously considering both internal/external and positive/negative elements affecting their alliance's performance. Keywords: Shipping Alliance, Alliance Performance, Inter-firm Coordination, Organizational Learning, Alliance Cost, Aalliance Duration
Background: Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (manufacturing SMEs) can facilitate economic growth and development by creating employment and spurring economic activities at low levels of the economy. The performance of SMEs in Kenya has, however, been poor, despite their significance. This poor performance is attributed to the high costs of logistics operations in the country. Manufacturing SMEs can, however, improve the performance of their logistics operations by adopting appropriate logistics outsourcing strategies.
Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the extent of logistics outsourcing among manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi.
Setting: Manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi operate from the industrial zones of the Nairobi City County. The enterprises’ logistics operations are characterised by long cycle times, high transportation costs and limited resources. The high operational costs experienced by the SMEs threaten their survival, and they are therefore required, among other things, to manage their logistics more efficiently to improve overall performance.
Method: A quantitative research design was used in this study. Data were collected from 163 manufacturing SMEs using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and (a one-way analysis of variance) ANOVA were used to analyse the data.
Results: Most (94%) of the manufacturing SMEs opted to outsource their logistics operations, although the extent of outsourcing was limited (1% – 50% of logistics operations were outsourced). Logistics outsourcing by the SMEs is intended to reduce logistics costs and supplement the limited in-house capabilities. In addition, there were significant differences in the extent of outsourcing of operational, information processing and value-added categories of logistics activities.
Conclusion: The results motivate SME owners and managers to acquire logistics resources and capabilities that are lacking in-house through logistics outsourcing to achieve the required efficiencies. Although the majority of SMEs have embraced logistics outsourcing, the low extent of its usage within the enterprises might have limited the ability to achieve high efficiencies.
Shipment of goods. Delivery of goods, Transportation and communications
Abstract The paper presents a new model for trade flows in Europe that is integrated with a logistics model for transport chain choice through Logsum variables. Logsums measures accessibility across an entire multi-modal logistical chain, and are calculated from a logistics model that has been estimated on disaggregated micro data and then used as an input variable in the trade model. Using Logsums in a trade model is new in applied large-scale freight models, where previous models have simply relied on the distance (e.g. crow-fly) between zones. This linkage of accessibility to the trade model makes it possible to evaluate how changes in policies on transport costs and changes in multi-modal networks will influence trade patterns. As an example the paper presents outcomes for a European-wide truck tolling scenario, which showcases to which extent trade is influenced by such a policy. The paper discusses how such a complex model can be estimated and considers the choice of mathematical formulation and the link between the trade model and logistics model. In the outcomes for the tolling scenario we decompose the total effects into effects from the trade model and effects from the logistics model.
Shipment of goods. Delivery of goods, Transportation and communications
Due mainly to the privatization and commercialization of airline companies and deregulation of the aviation rules, the demand for air transport has continuously been increasing. Airport authorities state that transfer passengers, who contribute to the large portion of the airports’ profits, are gaining much more importance, particularly in the Northeast Asia region where the air transport industry is very vital. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the competitiveness of IIA (Incheon International Airport) with other major airports located in Northeast Asia in passenger transfers made between Southeast Asia and China to North America using Conjoint Analysis. Results have indicated that airport brand is the most important attribute for the competitiveness of airport, followed by cost, connectivity and duty free shops. In further analysis focusing on brand value of the three airports measured by the use of transfer passengers, it was revealed that IIA needs more effort in developing their brand identity to become the leading transfer hub airport. Based on the results, recommendations for increasing the brand value have also been suggested.
Strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) involves the voluntary practice of social and environment activities to satisfy firms’ stakeholders, with the intention of generating profits. Companies, especially those within the shipping industry, often face challenges when implementing strategic CSR. The paper therefore, seeks to identify, rank, and discuss the barriers to the implementation of strategic CSR in shipping. A list of barriers was first identified from reviewing the literature. Subsequently, a survey was administered to 600 shipping companies in Singapore and the collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results showed that factors relating to lack of resources, lack of strategic vision, lack of measurement system, high regulatory standards, and low willingness to pay for CSR are significant barriers to implementing strategic CSR in shipping. The findings imply that the practice of strategic CSR is contingent on both the firm's macro-environment and micro-environment, albeit to a lesser extent. Understanding these potential barriers can help companies avoid or overcome these barriers and improve their chances of successfully implementing strategic CSR.