Hapag-Lloyd Center
for Shipping and Global Logistics (CSGL)

Hapag-Lloyd Center
for Shipping and Global Logistics (CSGL)

A KLU Research Center founded with the support of Hapag-Lloyd. 

The CSGL strengthens the position of KLU in Global Container Logistics, leveraging on the partnership with Hapag-Lloyd, promoting KLU as a leading university in this field and contributing to establish Hamburg as an international maritime knowledge hub.

Mission

To produce and disseminate evidence that promotes the evolution of a future competitive and sustainable (economic, social and environmental) shipping and port sector, and the adoption of policies, strategies, actions and programs that generate the conditions and capacities to be competitive in a digitalized world.

Vision

To be a platform for interdisciplinary research, collaboration and knowledge transfer, creating a point of reference for the community of researchers, professionals and public sector (in Germany/Europe/World) to promote the investigation of the future evolution and transformation of the maritime and port sector.

 

Dashboard & Tools

  • Maritime activity
  • Port Activity

Selected Publications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2024.103988 

Abstract: The port governance literature has charted the trend towards devolution of port services to the private sector, also showing how the increasing influence of external private actors such as shipping lines and global terminal operators affects decisions on expansion and service provision, producing a more multifaceted and polycentric kind of port governance. In this paper we extend these notions to cover both mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. A growing body of literature on green ports discusses the various actions that can be taken to limit emissions in the port area, while another body of literature is growing on climate change adaptation measures, including the uncertain risks and rewards. Both mitigation and adaptation actions are partly linked to the commercial decisions of port actors but also partly driven by external actors (e.g. society, government, regulators). The analysis produces an updated conceptualisation of port governance under climate change, based on four stakeholder groups (public policy, commercial actors, indirect actors and international shipping governance) and produces three key conclusions. First, concession contracts and commercial relationships will need to change, with a more integrated vision and approach to sharing future (sometimes undefined or uncosted) costs and benefits between the port authority and commercial partners. Second, diversification of the port business model will see a larger focus on energy production and provision, requiring the more explicit inclusion of external stakeholders, particularly energy companies, in port governance. Third, port governance will see a return to prominence of the public dimension, both in terms of national decarbonisation plans and particularly regarding adaptation to an uncertain and turbulent future. As ports are both commercial activities and national infrastructure, these different identities will need to be united in a joint vision.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003316657-4 

Abstract: This chapter discusses spatial models of the evolution of port systems. The port geography literature dating from the 1960s to the present is explained and discussed, identifying key trends such as concentration and deconcentration, the role of transshipment hubs, and the changes in port governance and port competition. These trends are then illustrated empirically with examples from different ranges of the Latin American and Caribbean port system.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95764-3_17 

Abstract: This chapter discusses the relevance of different supply chain paradigms and depicts their differences and limitations in complex environments. Following a critical reflection on the validity of traditional cost, efficiency or agile dominant supply chain structures, the authors propose a framework that allows decision-makers to assess strategic supply chain design options and their trade-offs in complex environments. The framework constructs from ten dimensions each of which contains two opposed design options. The framework allows decision-makers to assess supply chain design options by defining importance of opposed options in each dimension. The authors exemplify the use of the framework via differentiating two extreme cases and present two mini cases for one commodity supply chain. In this regard, this chapter reflects on possible supply chain design responses to current and future complexity and provides decision-makers with a framework for a strategic assessment of their supply chain design options, considering their fragility in complex environments.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2023.103709 

Abstract: This case study addresses the problem of empty container repositioning (ECR) in the Colombian context at a regional scale. The research was motivated by the massive empty container congestion in 2022 in specific nodes of the logistics network. A Mixed methods approach is proposed in this research applying qualitative and quantitative methods that aim to clarify the causes of inefficiency in empty repositioning and to formulate improvement strategies. Street-turn has proven to be a strategy to increase the efficiency in the ECR system. A matching algorithm is developed to pair empty containers in inland destinations with export loads, to achieve a more efficient utilization of trucks in the network. Despite the significant container trade imbalance, the optimization model results confirm significant cost savings and reduction of empty trips of up to 50% for RFT between Colombia's two main ports and their principal hinterland regions. The research also identifies that the actors involved in the ECR system lack incentives to deepen their collaboration, which represents a significant barrier to the implementation of street-turn.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2023.11.572 

Abstract: Quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of logistics hubs such as warehouses, transshipment sites or terminals enables understanding the use of resources and improving the efficiency of operations. Thus, it supports decision-makers on their roadmap to climate neutrality and within the transformation towards sustainable logistics hubs. This research provides an overview of relevant indicators that can be used for measuring the sustainability performance of hubs, along the full life cycle from construction, operation, through to renovation and end-of-life management. Current approaches for the quantification of embodied and operational carbon are summarized. Results of the international market study on energy efficiency and GHG emissions at hubs are outlined and an initial set of GHG emission indicator values for European hubs

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Abstract: It details the progress of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) Global Port Integrity Platform (GPIP) and how it contributes to lower corruption-related risks in maritime transport and, thus, better maritime supply chains. Its' sections elaborate on the endorsed approach in measuring the current port integrity commitments as a concerted effort to create a dialogue between stakeholders, governments, and other institutions on progressing a related agenda and corrective actions that would enhance the integrity of the entire system. The importance of two interrelated concepts, namely transparency and integrity in transactions associated with the realisation of maritime trade, sets the scene dedicated section. Thus, the document details how the MACN GPIP was developed, how it monitors the integrity commitments of ports, and how the findings on port commitments and the reporting of corruption incidents are visualised and dis- seminated to the members of MACN. This section also discusses the experiences, the challenges realised, and the potential identified during the data collection for building the GPIP port commitment database. It concludes with a discussion of the next steps for the MACN GPIP initiative and how its expansion would further contribute to a global approach and a better understanding of port integrity, thus, better maritime transport and trade.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41278-022-00226-w 

Abstract: This paper considers two current challenges in the governance of maritime transport, specifically container shipping. The first is the oligopolistic market structure of container shipping, the downsides of which became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second challenge is climate change, both the need to reduce emissions to zero by 2050 and to adapt to effects that are already locked in. The paper reviews the academic and policy literature and unveils a link between these market and environmental challenges which result from a focus on efficiency without considering negative effects such as diseconomies of scale and induced traffic, leading to a continued rise in total industry carbon emissions. The review likewise identifies links in how policy-makers react to the two challenges. Regulators could remove anti-trust exemptions from carriers, and policy-makers are being pushed to provide strict decarbonisation targets with a coherent timeline for ending the use of fossil fuels. Recent thinking on ecological economics, degrowth and steady-state economics is introduced as the paradigm shift that could link these two policy evolutions.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-021-00103-4 

Abstract: This study examines the concept of transparency as practiced (or not) in ports. It explores the availability of information to the general public and port stakeholders through the ports’ most public face—its website, studying public ports in North America, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean. This exploratory research centred on identifying the parameters that would be useful for the general public to have sufficient information to monitor, review and in many cases, participate in the decision-making processes carried out by the port authority, irrespective of whether or not laws mandate such disclosure. Fifty-one items were identified for the examination of each port’s website, focusing primarily on four major categories: decision-making governance, port communications and accessibility, transparency in reporting and in port operational activities. Using nine items as proxies for the 51, the research reveals uneven levels of port transparency both regionally and by governance model. The study reveals a need for increasing and differentiating the existing levels and standards of transparency in the governance of the port industry, and for greater consistency between ports within and across regions. The study concludes with a research agenda for future research.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2022.2047812 

Abstract: This paper addresses the question whether energy consumption variables and the disaggregation of output matter in the context of efficiency analysis of container terminals. While it is obvious that the energy consumption of refrigerated cargo is higher than the energy consumption of non-refrigerated cargo, this work investigates whether those differences show in an overall efficiency analysis of terminals. This would point to a potentially important input for efficiency measures, to be considered in future productivity and efficiency analysis of terminals. Starting with a discussion on theoretical concepts and variable selection for measuring the energy dimension of terminal efficiency, this is the first paper that applies data envelopment analysis (DEA) comparing results with and without energy consumption, as well as differentiating productive outputs (dry and reefer container handling). The results reveal how the output disaggregation leads to substantially different efficiency scores and are a first step to show the relevance of output disaggregation and the inclusion of the energy variables as inputs in container terminal efficiency studies.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800884298.00023 

Abstract: This chapter discusses the recent concepts of “deep adaptation” and “collapsology”, which argue that, rather than climate change bringing discrete challenges to which cities can adapt separately, we should rather expect “disruptive and uncontrollable levels of climate change, bringing starvation, destruction, migration, disease and war”. These perspectives are then extended via the “fragile world” hypothesis, which argues that the interconnectedness of modern systems produces a level of fragility that leads to an existential risk. It is argued that these perspectives have arisen as a response to climate mainstreaming and post-politics that have co-opted climate concerns and prevented meaningful action. While cities can adapt to individual climate change threats such as sea level rise and storms by various methods such as reinforced infrastructure, the fragility arising from the interconnectedness of modern systems leaves them vulnerable to systems collapse(s). These collapses can arise from the breakdown of global supply chains disrupting supply of food and other essential goods as well as the breakdown of global or even national energy, water and communication systems. This chapter accordingly argues that normal concepts of resilience that aim to overcome disruptions and return to business as usual are flawed. Instead, “deep adaptation” is needed, moving towards economic models based on degrowth and key systems reoriented towards localised supply and storage designed on principles of redundancy rather than efficiency.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102671-7.10267-2 

Abstract: Dry ports are one key option in effective port hinterland integration. This article discusses the development of the dry port discussion over the last three decades and identifies the current main challenges and potential to make these part of more sustainable transport systems.

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Abstract: This multidisciplinary book delivers a unique collection of well-considered, empirically rich and critical contributions on maritime transport geographies. It covers a wide range of markets and territories as well as institutional, environmental and future issues.

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Abstract: The central concerns of mobilities research – exploring the broader context and human aspects of movement - are fundamental to an understanding of the maritime freight transport sector. Challenges to the environment, attempts at more sustainable practices, changes in the geoeconomic system, political power, labour, economic development and governance issues are all among the topics covered in this book. The aim of this volume is to address issues of maritime transport not only in the simple context of movement but within the mobilities paradigm. The goal is to examine negative system effects caused by blockages and inefficiencies, examine delays and wastage of resources, identify negative externalities, explore power relations and identify the winners and losers in the globalised trade system with a particular focus on the maritime network. Maritime Mobilities therefore aims to build a bridge between "traditional" maritime academic approaches and the mobilities paradigm. This volume is of great importance to those who study industrial economics, shipping industries and transport geography.

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The CSGL Team

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Prof. Dr. Gordon Wilmsmeier

Associate Professor for Shipping and Global Logistics, Director of the Hapag-Lloyd Center for Shipping and Global Logistics (CSGL)

Kühne Logistics University - KLU

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Dr. Cristiam Gil

Senior Researcher

Kühne Logistics University - KLU

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Lara Pomaska

PhD Candidate

Kühne Logistics University - KLU

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Andrés Felipe Rey

PhD Candidate

Kühne Logistics University - KLU

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Richard Borggreve

PhD Candidate

Kühne Logistics University - KLU

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Diana Lisseth Trujillo Rodriguez

Project Manager

Kühne Logistics University - KLU

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Susanne Kruse

Team Assistant Research Center

Associated Members

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Prof. Dr. Michele Acciaro

Associate Professor, Department of Strategy and Innovation

Copenhagen Business School (CBS)

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Prof. Pierre Cariou, PhD

Senior Professor in Shipping and Port Economics

KEDGE Business School

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Prof. Dr. Hanno Friedrich

Associate Professor of Freight Transportation - Modelling and Policy

Kühne Logistics University - KLU

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Prof. Dr. André Ludwig

Professor of Logistics Information Systems

Leipzig University

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Prof. Alan C. McKinnon, PhD

Professor of Logistics

Kühne Logistics University - KLU

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Prof. Dr. Sandra Transchel

Professor for Supply Chain and Operations Management

Kühne Logistics University - KLU

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