Scenarios and tools for shipment planning and asset optimization for logistics clusters networks

This deliverable addresses a methodological approach to develop and assess intermodal potentials within supply chains under real market conditions. For that intermodal planning tools are developed and tested using real data. The approach is based on the real intermodal services that are established within the CLUSTERS2.0 clusters and shipment orders as provided by shippers. A matching algorithm was developed in order to identify possible matches to use existing intermodal services. “For the potential analysis
“virtual” intermodal services were introduced on lanes with major volumes. The intermodal planning tool is part of the massification concept and supports shippers collaboration to exploit intermodal potentials with their supply chain through collaboration and coordination. 

Clusters 2.0 developed and applied an intermodal planning environment that is capable of assessing the potentials of collaborative demand planning of shippers as addressed in the massification concept. Making use of large-scale realistic demand data covering the area of the Clusters 2.0 clusters, a significant potential of existing and newly “massification” services could be identified. Our study provided a potential of up to 60% of all transport orders with distances higher than 250 km that can be operated by intermodal transport. The approach developed is supporting the activities as addressed in the massification workshops together with collaborating shippers.