''Foldable'' container could transform global box
A five-in-one foldable container design could boost efficiency and transform the carriages of empties, claims Florida-based Compact
This paper analyzes the effect of foldable containers in various circumstances. Recently, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many unexpected situations have arisen in the shipping and logistics industries. In this study, we examine three key situations: shutdowns, demand fluctuations, and fleet size fluctuations.
Furthermore, we developed an integer programming model to analyze through experiments the effect of foldable containers in each situation. The results show that foldable containers have proven to be more effective than standard containers in many situations, and they facilitate a faster recovery from container imbalances.
Konings and Thijs summarized clearly the conditions for the success of foldable containers in the market: (1) low costs for folding and unfolding the containers; (2) low manufacturing costs; (3) compatibility with existing equipment for intermodal transport; and (4) structural robustness.
Using the newly developed foldable container can not only significantly reduce logistics costs, but also bring positive environmental impacts such as reducing greenhouse gas that may have arisen from transporting bulky empty containers. Also the foldable container influences social aspects such as noise pollution, local development and employment.
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