Iron Silk Road Trans-Caspian East-West-Middle Corridor Initiative and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Line

The East-West Middle Corridor (Middle Corridor) with the Caspian Transit, which starts from Turkey with the Baku Tbilisi Kars Railway line, reaches the Caucasus region. From here it travels over the Caspian Sea through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan to Central Asia and China and is one of the most important components of historical silk road resuscitation project. With this study, the contribution of Baku Tbilisi Kars railway line and Kars Logistics Center, which is the European and Turkish gateway of the middle corridor, to the silk railway in terms of international leasing is explored.

A Multi-Scenario Optimization Model for Emergency Cold Chain Logistics Distribution

Cold chain logistics has been playing a more and more crucial role in modern society. As a special professional cold chain logistics, emergency cold chain logistics can provide quality assurance for temperature-sensitive products in emergency situations. Due to the fact that demand is uncertain in emergency situations, the cold chain logistics companies have to deal with the issue of uncertainty. However, there is no literature on the emergency cold chain logistics distribution optimization problem with uncertain demand. This research contributes to solving this problem. To deal with uncertain demand in emergency situations, an emergency cold chain logistics distribution optimization model with time windows is proposed based on scenario analysis. The objectives of the model are to minimize the total cost and shorten the delivery time simultaneously. The model can also optimize product procurement and refrigerated vehicle renting. The multi-scenario optimization model is applied to a Chinese cold chain logistics center to verify its effectiveness.

Energy Consumption When Transporting Pallet Loads Using a Forklift with an Anti Slip Pad Preventing Damage

A large number of processes for transporting and handling palletized goods using a forklift in logistics centers is usually associated with an increase in pallet and load damage. Therefore, first of all, the “damage mechanism” was identified. A classic “state of the art” analysis was conducted. The paper presents the essence of the authors’ hybrid idea of:—locking the load;—while increasing the coefficient of friction between the pallet and the forks of the forklift; but so as not to compromise on the existing functionality of the forklift forks. The idea turned out to be an innovation that required intellectual property protection, hence it was not only described in a paper but also patented. It is about an extra element that is not standard on forklifts—a forklift fork attachment. The paper discusses mechanical damage to loads involving a forklift, load damage test results, anti-slip forklift attachment, computational model of the attachment, prototype, and real-world testing of the attachment on a forklift in a logistics center. Design data from the FEM calculation system, photos of:—the prototype with components,—the prototype on tests in the logistics center were made available. The paper concludes with a pallet and load damage study performed at a logistics center and an insulation panel factory. The level of accuracy of the publication is detailed enough that the reader can make the attachment on their own and, using the content of the paper, adapt it to the needs of their own logistics system.

Vulnerability of Coastal Areas Due to Infrastructure: The Case of Valencia Port (Spain)

The vulnerability of coastal areas is related to the existence and functionality of infrastructure. Ports have had increased activity in the last few decades due to growing needs of the market. At the same time, there have been huge changes in maritime traffic, and some ports are specialized in container traffic. The port in Valencia developed notably in the last expansions, in the 1980s and in the recent northern expansion. Valencia’s port specializes in container traffic, and has become a Mediterranean leader and the metropolitan area is an important logistics center. Ports can create coastal erosion by altering wave patterns. The environmental effects of the port of Valencia were analyzed. The Spanish Mediterranean coastline as well as morpho-dynamic units were monitored. The solid transport capacity to the north and south of the Valencia port was estimated, and the effects of other infrastructure on sedimentary sources of beaches were also studied. The port of Valencia’s barrier effect is responsible for the situation at the beaches to the north and south. This effect is total and impedes net sediment transport, predominantly to the south along the stretch of coastline. However, the port is not the only factor responsible for this situation, and the lack of continental sediments must also be considered. In addition, climate change has an influence on the behavior of the coastline. The vulnerability of the coast has increased due to changes in coastal morphology, variations in littoral transport rates, and coastal erosion. To promote sustainable port management, some correction measures, such as sand bypassing, dune rehabilitation, and dune vegetation, are proposed.

Choosing a logistics scheme for cargo delivery

Objective: To choose a logistics scheme for cargo delivery considering the vehicle selection factors, to calculate the location of a transport and logistics center. Methods: The analysis of the logistics scheme of cargo delivery, the ranking of the parameters of the transport types, and the method of determining the gravity center of the places of origin/extinguishment of the cargo traffic have been used to determine the transport and logistics center. Results: Typical logistics schemes for cargo delivery are presented, the parameters of the transport types are ranked for selecting a vehicle, the coordinates of the transport and logistics center are calculated depending on the places of origin/extinguishment and the capacity of cargo traffic, and a diagram of the next stage of designing the logistics chain is developed. Practical importance: The article presents an opportunity for a cargo owner and a freight forwarder to choose a logistics scheme for delivering cargo based on standard options and transport type ranking by a number of parameters. The sequence of determining the location of the transport and logistics center is shown