The Synchro-NET demonstrators: focus on East-West Trade Lane Demonstrator

Synchro-NET: Announced at Transport Logistic exhibition (München, May 9th- 12th 2017) the main results and evidences of the first phase of the EU-funded project which aims, through eco-NET tool, to reduce CO2 emissions for shipping and land- based transport through modal shift to greener modes, optimize planning processes, reduce costs, empty kms for trucks and wasted repositioning movements.

The main advantages connected to the solution have been outlined in particular through East-West Trade Lane Demonstrator: benefits are addressed to all supply chain stakeholders, from shipping companies to ports, from shippers to land transport planners and logistics operators.

It was held in München, with the occasion of Transport Logistic, the main international exhibition in the transport field (May 9th-12th 2017), the second Annual Meeting of Synchro- NET (May 10th-12th 2017), the EU-funded project involving as partners many prestigious company leaders in the sector including DHL Supply Chain Spain (project coordinator), FraunHofer, Circle, Cosco Shipping Line, Politecnico di Torino and Cross-Border Research Association.

More specifically, three intensive days were dedicated to the project – which aims to demonstrate how a powerful and innovative synchromodal eco-NET supply chain can catalyze the uptake of the slow steaming concept and synchro-modality, guaranteeing cost- effective robust solutions that de-stress the supply chain to reduce emissions and costs for logistics operations while simultaneously increasing reliability and service levels for logistics users – with the following schedule, planned to examine and discuss the main mid-term results and plan the future actions for the second period of the project, which is expected to end in 2018:

• May 10th: internal meeting with discussion of results and focus on the three Synchro- NET demonstrators: the East-West Trade Lane demonstrator, the Regional demonstrator and the Pan European

• May 11th: two public events in front of a big group of skilled stakeholders (Hall A5 room A51/52):
  • Synchro-NET presentation
  • Stakeholders roundtable on the following themes: “Slow Steaming – potentials and barriers”, “De-stressing the supply chain” and “The Synchro-NET community using cooperative business models”

• May 12th: internal workshop discussing Key Exploitable Results of the project and further developing individual partners’ business plan;

About Synchro-NET

The core of the project is a tool for integrated optimization and eco-net simulation, incorporating: real-time synchro-modal logistics optimization (e-Freight-enabled), slow steaming ship simulation & control systems, synchro-modal risk/benefit analysis statistical modelling, dynamic stakeholder impact assessment solution, and a synchro-operability communications and governance architecture.

Synchro-NET has demonstrated that slow steaming, coupled with synchro-modal logistics optimization, delivers amazing benefits to all stakeholders in the supply chain: massive reduction in emissions for shipping and land-based transport due to modal shift to greener modes, as well as optimized planning processes leading to reduced empty kms for trucks and fewer wasted repositioning movements.

This leads to lower costs for all stakeholders: shipping companies and logistics operators, for instance, benefit from massive reduction in fuel usage, faster turnaround times in ports and terminals, and increased resource utilization/efficiency. Customers and end users have greater control of their supply chain, leading to more reliable replenishment activity and therefore reduced safety stocks and expensive warehousing. Authorities and governmental organizations take benefit from a smoother, more controlled flow of goods through busy terminals, and from a reduction of congestion on major roads, thus maximizing the use of current infrastructure and making the resourcing of vital activities such as import/export control, policing and border security less cost-effective.

Synchro-NET’s key words

“Synchromodality”: Is a logistics method allowing dynamic interchangeability of transport modes at any point of the supply chain and at any given time during its execution. This means moving away from pre-defined routes and schedules, enabling logistics service providers to mix road, rail, air, and ocean to create a tailored solution for each client that is both more efficient and more environmentally friendly. Also, effective and efficient combination of intermodal means of transportation ensures that business and service requirements of key supply chain stakeholders are met.

“Smart Steaming”: Within the sea freight business, even a small speed reduction shows significant impact on fuel costs and the carbon footprint. Furthermore, a better synchronization among the different actors allows shipping companies to adopt slow steaming strategies without introducing any delay in the supply chain.

Demonstrators

Three demonstrators are under development:

• East-West Trade Lane Demonstrator, which will study both import and export operations between Shanghai and Spain, aims to demonstrate the benefits of the Synchro-NET solution for long-haul, inter-continental shipping movements, short- haul shipping movements and inland transport by truck and rail. In particular, East- West Trade Lane Demonstrator’s goal is to highlight the positive impact of slow steaming strategies in terms of emissions and costs, without any negative impact on delivery time.

• Regional Demonstrator, focused on regional issues affecting the Irish supply chain. Its aim is to highlight how slow steaming strategies could impact at a macro level on the Irish industrial sector.

• Pan European Demonstrator, focused on freight transportation within the EU and nearby Countries, mainly with inland transport modes or at most short sea routes. One of its objectives is to enhance modal shift between different transport modes, increasing the use of railway for long haul logistics and considering the truck as the optimal option for last mile logistics.

Focus on East-West Trade Lane Demonstrator:

advantages for shipping companies, ports, land transport planners, shippers and last- mile logistics operators.

• The tool will support shipping companies to design new and more efficient Oceanic routes and also enable them to react and provide solutions to daily problems/situations (delays and route and speed modifications due to weather, social conflicts, port congestions, etc.) in the shortest period of time;

• For the ports involved in this demonstrator main benefits rely on the reduced congestion and waiting times, with consequent optimization in resource planning (both for infrastructures and human resources), increased capacity and faster turnaround time;

• The tool will help land transport planners to select best transport options, also providing alternative solutions while minimizing empty container logistics and supporting to react to changes with flexible re-planning and re-routing solution;

• The tool will enable customers to choose the most economical and greenest option in long haul shipments enabling them to compare it with other alternatives. Moreover, the increase in modal shift (e.g. from truck to rail) and in synchro-modality will reduce CO2 emissions, while offering more flexible and competitive services and allowing logistic operators to enhance their control on the supply chain and to manage externalities in a better way;

• For last-mile logistics operators, lastly, main benefits are related to the optimization of operations with a consequent reduction of costs and the increase of warehousing capacity. Furthermore, the increased reliability of delivery process could lead to a reduction of customer queries and reverse logistics.

Watch the videos of the Synchro-NET stakeholders roundtable

• Here the first part
• Here the second part
• Here the Third part

Read more: The Synchro-NET second annual meeting in Munich – See the photogalleries