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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

INTERMODAL MOVEMENT OF MARINE CONTAINERS

This book contains case studies dealing with the changes occurring in the intermodal movement of marine containers during the last decade. Each case study is based on an actual problem using the real names of the organizations involved. Some of the information has been disguised, but the changes in numerical values do not distort the fundamental relationships of the factors involved. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 deals with the Port of Long Beach before the acceptance of double-stack container trains. The Port of Long Beach, in conjunction with the Port of Los Angeles, must consider a major new facility for the intermodal movement of containers. Issues range from what questions should be asked in planning for the future to how should the port deal with a traditional competitor. In Chapter 3 the Burlington Northern Railroad (BNR) is developing a new facility to handle marine containers. A new facility offers a potential chance for a more favorable arrangement with labor. Chapter 4 shows how entrepreneurs in American Automar, with little capital of their own, can try to carve out a market niche. By carrying U.S. military cargo, American Automar hopes it can buy a new vessel. The next two chapters show an East Coast view of double-stack container trains. These trains are being used mainly to carry marine containers originating in the Far East eastbound from U.S. West Coast ports. It is not clear how an East Coast port should deal with the competing services of double-stack trains from West Coast ports, versus direct, all-water service from the Far East. The size and market position of the Port of Boston, Chapter 5, raises different issues than those that face the Port of New York and New Jersey in Chapter 6. In Chapter 7 the BNR, which has now accepted double-stack trains, is trying to improve its labor arrangement in a major Midwest terminal. Chapter 8 presents the issues facing American President Companies, the parent of American President Lines (APL), which is trying to be an industry leader in door-to-door movements of marine containers. APL is deciding on a new generation of containerships, keeping in mind technological feasibility, economics, service level and market competition. In Chapter 9 the Port of Seattle must evaluate the use of on-dock facilities to transfer marine containers between containerships and double-stack container trains. The flood of imported containers from the Far East combined with rising double-stack train service puts pressure on Seattle to remain competitive with ports to its south. Chapter 10 provides a perspective on double-stack container trains from a port in the Gulf of Mexico. The Port of New Orleans views the threats and opportunities from double-stack trains differently from ports on the East and West Coasts. Chapter 11, the final chapter, deals with Cast, an ocean carrier that provides service with conbulkers between the ports of Montreal, Canada, and Antwerp, Belgium. Cast is trying to determine the appropriate combination of market focus, ship type, ship size and vessel itinerary.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Department of Ocean Engineering, 77 Massachusetts Avenue
    Cambridge, MA  United States  02139
  • Authors:
    • Marcus, H S
  • Publication Date: 1993

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; Tables;
  • Pagination: 272 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00627082
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 1561720070
  • Report/Paper Numbers: MITSG 92-21
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Mar 12 1993 12:00AM