Article: Container inventory management: introducing the 3F model Journal: International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management (IJLSM) 2018 Vol.31 No.3 pp.363 - 386 Abstract: Container inventory imbalances (CII) can primarily be attributed to global trade imbalances that cause a substantial indirect cost in shipping. Therefore, it is imperative that carriers adopt highly efficient and effective container inventory management (CIM) systems to overcome the CII issues. This research intends to develop realistic guidelines for CIM that minimise CII costs. The components of the 3F model are chosen based on the rating scores given by the experts for 22 common CIM strategies followed by a standard filtration process. It ultimately comprises six strategies, namely: reduce import freight; reduce export freight; service agreements; synchronised budget; agile inventory; and export priority. These variables are rooted in three dimensions namely: freight, forecasting and flexibility. To identify the relative contribution by each component, this paper proposes a double weight allocation procedure for each strategy. The 3F model helps managers to think beyond traditional container reposition and increased profits. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Container inventory management: introducing the 3F model

Authors: Lalith Edirisinghe; Zhihong Jin; A.W. Wijeratne

Addresses: College of Transportation Management, Dalian Maritime University, 1 Linghai Rd, Ganjingzi, Dalian, Liaoning, China; Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, CINEC Maritime Campus, Malabe, Sri Lanka ' College of Transportation Management, Dalian Maritime University, 1 Linghai Rd, Ganjingzi, Dalian, Liaoning, China ' Department of Agribusiness Management, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, P.O. Box 02, Belihuloya 70140, Sri Lanka

Abstract: Container inventory imbalances (CII) can primarily be attributed to global trade imbalances that cause a substantial indirect cost in shipping. Therefore, it is imperative that carriers adopt highly efficient and effective container inventory management (CIM) systems to overcome the CII issues. This research intends to develop realistic guidelines for CIM that minimise CII costs. The components of the 3F model are chosen based on the rating scores given by the experts for 22 common CIM strategies followed by a standard filtration process. It ultimately comprises six strategies, namely: reduce import freight; reduce export freight; service agreements; synchronised budget; agile inventory; and export priority. These variables are rooted in three dimensions namely: freight, forecasting and flexibility. To identify the relative contribution by each component, this paper proposes a double weight allocation procedure for each strategy. The 3F model helps managers to think beyond traditional container reposition and increased profits.

Keywords: container inventory management; CIM; imbalance; freight; forecasting; flexibility; strategy; CIM mix.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2018.095825

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2018 Vol.31 No.3, pp.363 - 386

Received: 15 Nov 2016
Accepted: 29 May 2017
Published online: 23 Oct 2018 *

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Title: Container inventory management: introducing the 3F model

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