Optimizing Zero-Emission planning – CTV B.V. (Supply Chain Valley)

 Overview

 Company Description

CTV is a logistics service provider specialized in intermodal container transport. We are trying to find the best transport route by combining train, barge (inland vessels) and truck as efficiently as possible.

From our offices in Venlo, Duisburg and Basel, we are offering the intermodal service to customers throughout Europe.

Daily we transport about 500 containers via several intermodal routes.

Most of the containers are entering of leaving Europe through the main ports Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg. We are orchestrating the whole intermodal transport between the ports and the warehouses.

Project Description

Project description:

CTV transports about 500 containers per day. For years we have been using intermodal routes to create the most sustainable routing for container transport. Intermodal transport means that several modalities are used for a transport like train, barges (vessels) and trucks. For the train and barge transport CTV uses external operators. For the trucking part, CTV works with small trucking companies who provide us with a fixed amount of trucks every day. For frequently used trains barges and trucks, the emission type is registered in our system.

As from 1-1-2024, CTV is able to calculate the CO2 emission for all transports. We are aiming to minimize the emission as much as possible. This means that we focus on shortening the last-mile per truck as much as possible. The intermodal concept with the short last-mile has been successfully integrated for years. Now we are planning to take the next step and make the last-mile even more sustainable by using alternative fuels like e-trucks or driving on bio-fuel.

CTV is still looking for the optimal way for making the transport greener. In order to do this, they have to consider:

• Which train – and barge services they use.
• Which alternative fuels can be used for the different trucking routes (taking fuel availability, charging infrastructure etc. into account).

Based on all information, a model should calculate several options for the most sustainable routings for new transport request by taking the emission types of intermodal routes and alternative fuels into account. The calculated options should include, the transport mode, fuel type, charging possibilities, total lead time and planning frequency. For example:

Rotterdam – Venlo by train

Venlo – Moenchengladbach – Venlo by E-truck

Charging E-truck at Shell Tankstelle Marie-Bernays-Ring for 0,5h = 180 KwH.

Therefore charging infrastructure, the e-truck specifications and the most optimal planning lead-time should be taken into account.

In short the following is included in the project description:

• Investigate which alternative fuels are available and what’s best suitable for trucking (related to CTV case).
• Determine reliable variables which have an influence on the routing, transporting methods.
• Analyze the current transport scope of CTV.
• Create a model which:

1. Calculates the most sustainable routing for existing transport routes.
2. Calculates the most sustainable routing for new transport request.

The model should include variables like:

• Lead-time
• Charging infrastructure
• Charging time
• Availability alternative fuels
• Cost calculation

Goals of the project:

Make the transport planning of CTV more sustainable by calculating the most sustainable options for transport routings including alternative fuels for the last-mile trucking.

Deliverables:

Create a model which calculates the most sustainable route for current and new transport routes.

The model should be presented to CTV in a way that the IT-supplier is able to integrate this into the Transport Management System.

Essential student knowledge:

• Creating algorithms
• Preferably AI knowledge
• Global knowledge of system programming
• Transport knowledge

 More information: escf@tue.nl