Synchromodal transport for the horticulture industry

The purpose of the thesis is to determine to which extent shippers in the Westland-Oostland greenport meet the requirements for synchromodal transport. Synchromodality is a new logistic concept which aims to increase the efficiency of transport and achieve lower transport costs. The main characteristics of synchromodal transport are the parallel availability of at least two modalities; the no longer pre-determined modal choice; the adaption of all infrastructure, services and stakeholders to one another; and bundling of product flows. Requirements with regards to the connectivity and organization of transport have to be fulfilled to implement synchromodal transport successfully. Based on these requirements, four potential flows of horticultural products are selected and six key characteristics for the organization of synchromodal transport are presented. The product flows and characteristics of organization are applied to four potential synchromodal corridors. There are also requirements which shippers have to fulfill in order to make the implementation of synchromodal transport possible. The degree to which shippers currently meet the requirements are determined, based on interviews with shippers in the greenport. The conclusion of the thesis is that the extent to which the shippers in the Westland-Oostland greenport meet the requirements for synchromodal transport depends on the type of horticultural products which the shippers handle. Shippers of flowers meet most of the requirements for synchromodal transport; shippers of vegetables meet some of the requirements; shippers of plants meet all requirements and shippers of fruit fulfill few requirements of synchromodal transport.