Integrating Enablers of Sustainable Freight Transportation and Perishable Commodity Supply Chain

Introduction

The adverse impacts of greenhouse gases (GHG) on climate has already been extensively researched and well documented (Bouzon et al., 2015). Owing to the fact that core operations pertaining to transport sector contributes significantly towards greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), sustainable freight transportation from academic and practitioner’s perspective has received considerable attention in recent times (Pan et al., 2013). Sustainability in the freight operations entails management of triple bottom line (TBL) such that the three associated considerations i.e. economic, environmental, and social perspectives can be addressed simultaneously. From a tactical standpoint, reverse logistics, route optimization, technology driven processes, multi-modal freight transportation, carbon emission monitoring and sustainable performance measurement are some of the key practices adopted by transport companies (Mathivathanan et al., 2017 and Szeto et al., 2014). To meet the desired level of GHG reduction for sustainable transportation of freight from a sectoral standpoint, regulatory and policy interventions such as improving the fuel efficiency standards in logistics operations has often been advocated both at the level of private/public transportation and freight industry (Solis et al., 2013, Loo et al., 2012 and Nuzzolo et al., 2016). Transportation planning and network design considerations for composite transportation network that encapsulates facets such as optimal emission pricing and dynamic information exchange between vehicles has been demonstrated to be have a positive impact on the reduction of GHGs not only for private vehicles but also for multi-modal freight industry (Sharma et al., 2013). Adoption of environmental management standards, eco-management and audit schemes backed by green practices such as freight pooling etc. are also key enablers for GHG reduction in freight transportation resulting in macro and micro level improvements.

Addressing sustainability aspect however in freight transportation requires a nuanced approach depending upon the type of commodity being transported. Consider for example shipping iron ore through sea lanes or transporting through trains; in such as case however because the product is non-perishable and certain level of product quality need not be maintained from origin to destination, from a practice point of view, transportation related complexities remains within a certain threshold. In case of perishable commodities such as fruits and vegetables however delivering them would be relatively complex in that other critical inputs need to be considered. Some of these inputs pertain to the fact that as opposed to unperishable commodities, fruit/vegetables are characterized by finite shelf life and certain demand pattern (Nahmias, 2011). The complexities associated with transporting perishable commodities are further compounded by refrigeration requirements during transportation. Table 1 enlists critical operational attributes that are required to be taken into consideration in context of a perishable supply chain.