Intermodal passenger transport

This form of transport, also called mixed-mode commuting, involves using two or more modes of transportation in a journey. The goal of mixed-mode commuting is often to combine the strengths (and offset the weaknesses) of various transportation options. A major goal of modern intermodal passenger transport is to reduce dependence on the automobile as the major mode of ground transportation and increase use of public transport. To assist and encourage such trips, Intermodal Journey planning software - in the form of online web applications or mobile device apps - is often available for travellers to plan and schedule their journey. Mixed-mode commuting often centres on one type of rapid transit, usually rail, to which low-speed options (i.e. bus, tram, or bicycle) are appended at the beginning or end of the journey. Trains offer quick transit into an urban area, where passengers can disembark and access a similar array of options to complete the trip. Most modes of transportation have always been intermodal; for example, to get to the airport people have always needed drive or be driven (e.g. take a taxi) or to take public transport (if available), and to get to an inter-regional railway station people have needed take local transport such as a bus, tram, or urban rail.

Sustainable supply chain

Traditional supply chain challenges have included lowering costs, ensuring just-in-time delivery, and shrinking transportation times to allow better reaction to business challenges. However, the increasing environmental costs of these networks and growing consumer pressure for eco-friendly products has led many organizations to look at supply chain sustainability as a new measure of profitable logistics management. This shift is reflected by an understanding that sustainable supply chains frequently mean profitable supply chains. Many companies are limited to measuring the sustainability of their own business operations and are unable to extend this evaluation to their suppliers and customers. This makes determining their true environmental costs highly challenging and reduces their ability to remove waste from the supply chains. However much progress has been made in defining supply chain sustainability and benchmarking tools are now available that enable sustainability action plans to be developed and implemented. One of the key requirements of successful sustainable supply chains is collaboration. The practice of collaboration — such as sharing distribution to reduce waste by ensuring that half-empty vehicles do not get sent out and that deliveries to the same address are on the same truck — is not widespread because many companies fear a loss of commercial control by working with others. Investment in alternative modes of transportation — such as use of canals and airships — can play an important role in helping companies reduce the cost and environmental impact of their deliveries.

Trade decline in Asia

Power plants in China burned 1.69 million tonnes of coal, 17% less than in January 2008. Coal stockpiles at power plants more than doubled from January 2008 to 36.4 million tonnes. Electricity generation fell 6.7% in the first half of January from January 2008. US exports in December were down 8.4% from December 2007 while imports were down 14.7%.

Exports in fugures:
January exports from China, Taiwan (down 42%)
South Korea (down 33%)
India (merchandise exports down 22%)
Japan (export figures down 35%).

Smart 2009 Sydney

Smart Conference is held every two years and it is the largest supply chain and logistics event staged in Australia, where practitioners share insight on the latest supply chain challenges facing businesses worldwide.
At Smart 2009 on 10-11 June, Professor Richard Wilding will present on Competitive Supply Chain Resilience: Gaining competitive advantage through innovation and collaboration, discussing innovative methods for improving supply chain processes, systems and structures based on time, trust and transparency.

Logistics in Vietnam

Logistics Bureau Asia (LBA) have successfully completed two major consultancy projects near Ho Chi Minh City; a strategic study and business plan for a client considering moving into the third-party logistics industry, and a supply chain review with a major Vietnamese beverages manufacturer. The successful completion of the latter has resulted in four follow-on projects from the same client, covering warehouse optimisation, procurement, transportation optimisation and a cost-to-serve analysis of the distribution network.
The major advantage is that LBA consultants are able to develop facilities and resources in line with what is available and at the same time, move the development envelope forward by utilising the up-to-date professional knowledge of our Australian-based colleagues, many of who also have experience in projects conducted in SE Asia. In addition, LBA has TrainingLBA website www.traininglba.com which provides training courses in supply chain and logistics aimed at filling the gap that exists in most Asian countries between theory-based, university-gained degrees and the operational realities of getting the job done on the ground.

Air cargo plummets

The 22.6% free fall in global air cargo is unprecedented and shocking. There is no clearer description of the slowdown in world trade. Even in September 2001, when much of the global fleet was grounded, the decline was only 13.9%, said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. Air cargo carries 35% of the value of goods traded internationally.
In this economic downturn IATA is calling for major structural changes to the industry. There is a need to change the ownership rules. Almost every other business has the freedom to access to global capital and the ability to merge across borders where it makes sense. To manage in this crisis, airlines need the same management tools.

Overloaded truck