Jędrzej Charłampowicz
Gdynia Maritime University, Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Quality Science,
Department of Logistics and Transport Systems, Poland
E-mail: j.charlampowicz@wpit.am.gdynia.pl

Abstract

The increase in the share of maritime container traffic in the global structure of
transport had caused dynamic development and strengthening of the market position
of shipping companies, shipping alliances enhanced this effect. Container sea
transport has become an integral part of global supply chains, in which the dominant
position have been reserved for shipping companies. Crucial factor for the proper
functioning of the supply chain is efficiency, which is also very extensive concept.
This paper provides explanation and division of this idea on time efficiency, cost
efficiency and spatial efficiency. The literature review has been made concerning
various levels of efficiency and measuring of global supply chain efficiency in context
of maritime container transportation. Due to strong position of shipping companies,
supply chains need to adapt and reconfigure in the way of advancing competitive
advantages in other fields than maritime transportation. Also based on the literature
review an attempt is to made to determine the most suitable strategy for supply chain.
Finally, the limitation of this paper and future research directions are presented.

Key words: container transport, supply chain management, measurement of
efficiency, supply chain efficiency

Last Update: October 26, 2017