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- PostHalvledarbristens effekt på en svensk biltillverkare och företagets strategiska initiativ under situationen(2023) Storsletten, Fabian; Nilsson, Jesper; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för mekanik och maritima vetenskaper; Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences; Lundh, Monica; Olsson Neptun, TomasDuring the pandemic, an already existing global shortage issue of semiconductor components was brought to attention. There are several different reasons for the emergence of this shortage, but the negative consequences are even more pronounced. The purpose of this study is to examine its impact on the Swedish automotive industry and identify strategies that the car manufacturer has applied. To gain a deeper understanding of the semiconductor industry, a thorough analysis of historical events and how the supply chain functions was conducted. To further enhance the understanding, two in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals working with this issue on a daily basis within the Swedish automotive industry. One observation was that the component shortage is a central reason for a conservative state of innovation and, more specifically, in electrification. After an examination of the aforementioned aspects, we were able to systematically identify the consequences faced by the car producer, including production bottlenecks, increased material costs, and longer lead times. The company has strategically worked to keep the shortage under control by aiming for improved communication and better relationships with subcontractors, compromising on the product mix, as well as financial management, and ultimately self-procuring semiconductors to keep production rolling. In summary, the report illustrates the challenges the Swedish automotive industry is undergoing due to the shortage. It becomes evident that this shortage impacts the entire supply chain and manifests gradually throughout the supplier network. The work provides an overview of the impact of the semiconductor shortage on the Swedish automotive industry. By understanding how it affects the logistics networks and analyzing strategies to adapt, car companies can make informed decisions to manage the situation and ensure continued success in a challenging market.
- PostCircular economy and sustainability with reverse logistics for end-of-life vessels - A scandinavian perspective on ship dismantling practices, and investigating the shipbreaking phenomenon in South asia(2023) Ammsho, Dima; Boye, Anna; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för mekanik och maritima vetenskaper; Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences; Ringsberg, Henrik; Larsson, MartinThe issues with the current approach to ship recycling practices globally and the rise in implementing sustainable operations within the maritime industry are both pressing research topics. This qualitative case study investigates the perspectives of five stakeholders from the Scandinavian shipping industry related to the adoption of a more environmentally conscious dismantling approach. In order to tackle the ongoing hazardous conditions of shipbreaking in South Asia, emerging concepts such as circular economy and reverse logistics are relevant to consider. To collect comprehensive and primary data on the opinions within the industry, semi-structured interviews with key parties were undertaken. In order to identify common themes and connections in the collected data, thematic analysis was utilized. This was contrasted through triangulation of related research data. The results of this study found that the participants encountered a variety of difficulties when implementing sustainable strategies when handling vessels that were nearing the end of their operational lives. The results further indicate 1) a lack of confidence in this area, 2) gaps in the current regulatory framework in place, 3) and difficulties achieving a balance between economic, ethical, and ecological priorities due to the state of the system. Despite these difficulties, the interviewed participants tended to be overall positive about the potential advantages and prospects of implementing new practices like remanufacturing and other measures to the end of life vessel management system. According to this paper, additional studies and resources are required to ensure that sustainable and socially responsible practices are successfully implemented in the future.
- PostSustainable optimization of supply chains - A global shift in logistics view on social, economic, and environmental sustainability(2023) Fox, Birgitta; Samuelsson, Allan; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för mekanik och maritima vetenskaper; Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences; Olindersson, Fredrik; Ringsberg, HenrikThe purpose of this report is to explore the sustainability aspect of supply chain optimization by presenting how sustainability is affected by different methods of supply chain optimization. The entirety of the work was conducted in Gothenburg, Sweden at Chalmers University of Technology. The research topics were how sustainability is affected by supply chain optimization and how sustainability can be used to gain market advantages. Different methods of supply chain optimization was used such as generic algorithms to improve lead times and quality and lateral collaboration to tighten the supply chain. Interviews were conducted with employees of different levels at a single global LSP to get practical input from the industry. A theoretical case was created and used to simulate an optimization and to see how it can improve sustainability. It was found that effects on sustainability depends largely on the metrics used to measure the three pillars. By the units of analysis of this report it was concluded that optimizing a supply chain directly leads to an increase in all three pillars of sustainability.
- PostThe Belt and Road Initiative's Impact on Trade and Competition in Ports - Exploring the Effects of China’s Ambitious trade and Infrastructure plan on Global Port Operations(2023) Andreasson, Eric; Ottosson, Carl; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för mekanik och maritima vetenskaper; Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences; Olsson Neptun, Tomas; Olindersson, FredrikThe Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was initiated by the Chinese government in 2013. It is a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on infrastructure projects with a reach across the entire world. Nations are eligible to participate in the initiative if they require and express a desire to obtain financial and/or manpower assistance for the development of infrastructure projects including ports, railroads, roads and power plants. A setback for a nation joining the initiative is that they will be indebted to China. The purpose of this study is to examine how the Belt and Road Initiative can affect the availability of free trade for a port as well as the level of competition between ports. The findings of this report indicate that the BRI cannot be classified as a standalone free trade agreement (FTA). Rather, it serves as an enabler for, and lay the groundworks for the establishment of new free trade agreements as well as to increase the value of and make better use of already existing FTAs. Furthermore, this report concludes that there is an increase of competition following the BRI. Further studies shows that ports who have joined the BRI will have a competitive advantage. Some important limitations of this report are that it only focuses on seaports and does not examine other types of infrastructure. Additionally, it mainly focuses on free trade opportunities and competition between ports, rather than any political aspects of the BRI. This report is conducted as a bachelor thesis for the International Logistics program at the Chalmers University of Technology.
- PostNavigating the Waves of Change: Sweden ́s Journey towards Electrification in Maritime Shipping(2022) Knaving, Sebastian; Nilsen, Lukas; Chalmers tekniska högskola / Institutionen för mekanik och maritima vetenskaper; Chalmers University of Technology / Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences; Larsson, Martin; Thomassen, ChristopherElectrification is the modern way to achieve greater sustainability, whether it's applied to cars, trucks, or trains. However, in terms of maritime transportation, it has not yet progressed to the same level as other modes of transportation within the logistical network. This study was conducted in Gothenburg, the Swedish capital of industry, which serves as an excellent starting point due to the large number of shipping companies in the area. The purpose of this study was to understand why companies have chosen electrification, envision the future of electrification, explore incentives for transitioning to it, and identify the main obstacles that need to be overcome for its widespread adoption in the future. The study was limited to interviewing Swedish-based companies, as their offices are near Chalmers University in Gothenburg. By employing qualitative research methodology by surveys interviews, the study revealed that the most significant problem with electrification is the lack of incentives from the state, such as subsidies, tax returns, or other financial benefits for transitioning to electric power. Regulatory bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the European Union (EU), and the Swedish government have not kept pace with the rules and regulations concerning electrification, leading to considerable uncertainty regarding the use of electrical power today. Additionally, the lack of functional and expensive infrastructure has further complicated the transition to electric power. Although these issues are expected to be resolved in a near future, most of the maritime logistical network will not fully embrace electric propulsion due to the limited energy storage capacity of batteries and the impracticality of using batteries for longer voyages, given their total weight and size requirements.