Logistic management of trailers based on the EPCIS standard: A cross-case analysis

Journal article, 2016

The efficient management of logistic operations at port terminals is vital in developing global competition and trade and distributing cargo across geographical borders. The application of standardized approaches improves the efficiency of logistic operations. This paper presents a conceptual framework based on the Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) standard for analyzing the efficiency of logistic operations at port terminals. The paper contributes to logistics research by studying time efficiency in the management of trailers and cargo at terminals based on the adoption of the international EPCIS standard. The literature was reviewed to establish a conceptual framework and a case study was then conducted regarding time efficiency in managing the export and import of trailers and transshipments of cargo between trailers at two port terminals in the United Kingdom and one port terminal in the Netherlands. The findings show that by adopting the EPCIS standard, port operators can improve logistic management efficiency, including the arriving, transporting, receiving, inspecting, outbound staging, loading, picking-up, unloading, re-packing, and shipping operations of trailers. This paper identifies how, when managing trailers at port terminals, applying a conceptual framework based on an international standard can improve logistical efficiency so that this management is consistent with the development of a global standard used to enhance planning, traceability, and safety in the port sector.