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Tying it All Together : The Future of Logistics in and through Gateways
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Heaver, Trevor D. |
| Copyright Year | 2008 |
| Abstract | The rapid expansion of international trade has been facilitated by the logistics efficiencies enabled by new technologies in transport and information and communication systems (ICT). New logistics systems were first realized in bulk systems, for example the movement of coal in unit trains through Roberts Bank in B.C. in 1970. The container has been the foundation of change in the transport of manufactured goods. Containers, larger ships, gantry cranes, improved yard container-handling equipment, solid trains and, then, double-stack trains have all contributed individually and interactively to the greater efficiency and throughput of ports. The changes in technologies have not only enabled greater volumes of cargo to be moved at lower costs, they have also enabled service levels, measured in the speed and reliability of transit, to improve and become important aspects of logistics performance. The new technologies and increase in trade have also resulted in significant changes in the relationships among the operations in and around ports. Conceptually, there have been two important changes. The first change has been a shift from the traditional bottleneck in operations; the critical functions have shifted from the loading and unloading of the ship to terminal operations and the interface with and performance of inland transport. The second change has been to create greater interdependency among the operations as growing traffic volumes have utilized capacities and squeezed slack out of the system while the levels of service required have escalated to meet the needs of modern supply chains. The effective functioning of ports has been extended to off-dock operations; a trend that is continuing. The changes in container transport and in logistics management generally are marked by the development of new visions and processes, reflected in the use of new terminology. The term ‘gateway’ was once used mainly by geographers to capture the image of a port serving a hinterland. Now, it has become popular in business and politics to capture the critical role that numerous activities, on and beyond port terminals, play in the flow of goods to and from hinterlands through the port communities. The term ‘supply chain management’ reflects the heightened linkage between buyers and sellers and the various organizations, |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://www.gateway-corridor.com/roundconfpapers/documents/Heaver_Trevor_Vancouver.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
