Article: Container barge (un)reliability in seaports: a company case study at the port of Antwerp Journal: International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics (IJSTL) 2021 Vol.13 No.6 pp.624 - 648 Abstract: Inland waterways and ports play an important role in the entire transport system in the Hamburg-Le Havre range, and for the seaports of Antwerp and Rotterdam in particular. The high proportion of inland navigation for both ports can be explained by reasons such as an extensive network along with a safe, reliable, sustainable and cost efficient transport. However, despite all these advantages, container barge transportation still faces certain challenges. A major challenge relates to the unreliability of barge handling in large seaports, affecting overall performance of barge services essentially. This research shows that barge congestion exists, and it examines the causes of the observed phenomena. Next, it also provides an overview of solutions that are being developed in the port of Antwerp to improve and optimise container barge handling. Last, a case study is developed for a company that is located in the near proximity of the port of Antwerp, where the impact of barge handling unreliability is analysed. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Container barge (un)reliability in seaports: a company case study at the port of Antwerp

Authors: Virzhiniia Oganesian; Christa Sys; Thierry Vanelslander; Edwin Van Hassel

Addresses: Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, Lanzheronovskaya 1, 65026 Odessa, Ukraine ' University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium ' University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium ' University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium

Abstract: Inland waterways and ports play an important role in the entire transport system in the Hamburg-Le Havre range, and for the seaports of Antwerp and Rotterdam in particular. The high proportion of inland navigation for both ports can be explained by reasons such as an extensive network along with a safe, reliable, sustainable and cost efficient transport. However, despite all these advantages, container barge transportation still faces certain challenges. A major challenge relates to the unreliability of barge handling in large seaports, affecting overall performance of barge services essentially. This research shows that barge congestion exists, and it examines the causes of the observed phenomena. Next, it also provides an overview of solutions that are being developed in the port of Antwerp to improve and optimise container barge handling. Last, a case study is developed for a company that is located in the near proximity of the port of Antwerp, where the impact of barge handling unreliability is analysed.

Keywords: hinterland transport; inland navigation; inland port; container barge handling; supply chain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2021.118528

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2021 Vol.13 No.6, pp.624 - 648

Received: 13 Mar 2019
Accepted: 05 Mar 2020
Published online: 28 Oct 2021 *

Title: Container barge (un)reliability in seaports: a company case study at the port of Antwerp

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