The Effect of Unitised Freight Flows and Logistics Strategies on Scotland's External Trade

This paper analyses unitized freight flows in Scotland, the reasons behind the current modal split and likely future developments. The impacts of these findings on logistics strategies for Scottish shippers are then considered in the context of the penalty of peripherality for Scottish trade. The work begins with a presentation of unitized flows by sea, rail and road and identifies the causes of current transport chains. Specific attention is given to the role of roll on roll off (RoRo) in United Kingdom (UK) freight transport, which accounts for a higher share of unitized trade than containers. A leakage index is developed, illustrating how much maritime traffic is lost to Scotland, based on measures of population and gross domestic product (GDP). A number of issues for Scottish shippers are identified. The added cost of repositioning, shortages of boxes caused by lines holding minimal stock in Scotland and the unavailability of correct equipment. Choice of transport provider and appropriate frequency of feeder services are also restricted. The logistics strategies of large retailers are therefore of increasing importance to Scotland’s trade imbalances. This has the effect of reducing direct maritime imports to Scotland which exacerbates the container imbalance as well as making modal shift away from road transport less feasible.

• Record URL:
  https://aetransport.org/past-etc-papers/conference-papers-pre-2009/conference-papers-2010
• Corporate Authors:

  Association for European Transport (AET)

  1 Vernon Mews, Vernon Street, West Kensington
  London W14 0RL,    
• Authors:
  • Baird, A
  • Wilmsmeier, T
  • Mathie, I
• Conference:
  • European Transport Conference, 2010
  • Location: Glasgow Scotland, United Kingdom
  • Date: 2010-10-11 to 2010-10-13
• Publication Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Pagination: v.p.
• Monograph Title: European Transport Conference, 2010 Proceedings

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Freight traffic; Freight transportation; Gross domestic product; Intermodal transportation; International trade; Logistics; Roll on roll off shipping; Shipping; Supply chain management
• Geographic Terms: Scotland
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01350778
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 25 2011 4:47PM