A Concept for Improving the Security and Efficiency of Multimodal Supply Chains

Critical Stages In Multimodal Supply Chains

There are obvious phases and stages along the supply chain that are more critical or carry more risks than others. Typically the most vulnerable phases in multimodal supply chains are slowing, stopping and parking en route on the road transport, moving through dangerous geographical areas, loading and unloading, change of transport vehicles or transport modes and static points along the routes (warehouses, terminals, ports, borders, etc.) (FreightWatch, 2011; Europol, 2009). Craddock and Stansfield (2005) have assessed incidents that can take place during a container journey. These threats have been generalized for consignments (parcels, transport units) and are presented in Table 1.