transport logistics

Maritime container transport is the backbone of international trade and supply and distribution processes in global manufacturing networks. However, digital support of container transportation related processes is still insu cient. This article shows how a digital platform can facilitate the digital interaction between industry and logistics stakeholders. Using the quotation process as an example, it describes how the platform can support transactions between shippers and transport service providers. Use of the digital platform increases process transparency, reduces duplication of work and reduces the time required to carry out the processes.

The traditional approach of transport logistic challenges is based on a central and static viewpoint. A given scenario is tried to be solved in an optimal way. Examples of established and well investigated scenarios in this area are the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) and the Pickup and Delivery Problem (PDP). The algorithms for these traditional points of view are pushed to their limits when applied on dynamically changing and close to reality scenarios. By contrast, the introduced autonomous control concept Distributed Logistics Routing Protocol (DLRP) was developed to act within a dynamic environment and to enable logistic objects to make own decisions. A comparison of the DLRP and a traditional algorithm will be presented as an evaluation study of the autonomous control concept.