The Study Of International Empty Container Allocation

Container transportation is one of the most important means in international trade. Due to differences of freights between countries and regions, the quantity and type of containers are unbalanced, which results in the problem as Empty Container Allocation. Data shows that one fifth containers in transportation are empty. This means great waste for economies and shipping enterprises.In ever fierce competition, the key for shipping companies to survive and develop is to control the cost. So the purpose of this research is to save resources for the society and maximize the profits for each company.The dissertation mainly analyzes the inevitable unbalance of international trade. It gives three elements of container allocation, which are allocation route, quantity and renting decision. The Empty Container Allocation Model adapts to Chinese coastal area. Through sensitiveness analysis, the model reaches a conclusion as follows: the reasonable empty container allocation should take reaching ability and volume capacity into consideration, and minimize the total amount of transportation cost and rent.The dissertation comes up with some strategies. It suggests shipping companies upgrade their intranet, adjust the shipping routes, lower prices, utilize special types of containers, develop logistic system on hinterland, and take advantage of scale economies. The companies should also strengthen the relationship with other economic entities, such as other enterprises in shipping industry, the container manufacturing and renting companies, import & export firms, freight agencies, etc. It also suggests that the ports and customs enhance efficiency to facilitate the allocation of empty containers. The dissertation summarizes the main points of former studies. The data comes from authoritative articles, website and companies I took internship in. The new points in the dissertation are as follows:1. It gives a method to figure out the transportation cost of empty containers according to the known shipping prices of full containers.2. The model is more practical for Chinese coastal area.3. It gives some strategies to develop logistic system of empty container on hinterland.It also emphasizes the importance of the cooperation with up-stream and down-stream entities, and the support from the ports, customs, inspection & quarantine bureaus.It is convenient for the managers of companies, ports and the government to carry out the viewpoints in practices.