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Title: A business model perspective to enhance efficiency of port hinterland connection with truck appointment system - a multiple case study of ports in northern Europe

Authors: Per Wide; Sara Rogerson; Jon Williamsson

Addresses: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Sweden ' RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Sweden ' Industrial and Financial Management and Logistics, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract: Inefficient port and hinterland connections negatively impact both the financial bottom line and environmental performance of the logistics system. To improve hinterland connections truck appointment system (TAS) has been implemented with varying performance, indicating a need to better understand TAS from a business model perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate TAS from a business model perspective. Semi-structured interviews and observations were conducted with port operators, port authorities and hauliers in five European container ports. The study reveals how various approaches to TAS impact business model components. The efficiency improvements from TAS need to match the costs of the TAS to make a valid business case to motivate additional administration of the service and to provide value to customers, i.e., shippers. This paper's conceptualisation of TAS from a business model perspective can help guide efficiency improvements in port terminals.

Keywords: business models; intermodal transport; truck appointment system; TAS; seaports; hinterland connections.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2025.146589

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2025 Vol.20 No.2, pp.271 - 289

Received: 14 Feb 2024
Accepted: 01 Jun 2024
Published online: 05 Jun 2025 *