LECTURE 4 TITLE:

1.0 OBJECTIVES 1.1 1.2 2.0 To brief on the traditional philosophy of ocean transportation. To brief on the present philisophy of ocean transportation

Intermodalism In Ocean Transportation

INTRODUCTION 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 The basic function of ocean transportation is to carry cargo from one place to the other via sea. The process involves many modes of transport and many different individual. The cargo owner needs efficient service to ensure some degree of competitiveness in their venture involving the cargo The traditional philosophy in managing the flow of administrative and operational functions and documents have evolved. The change is catalysed by the presence of the IT.

3.0

THE OLD PHILISOPHY 3.1 The chain of event for the process of carrying cargo by ocean transportation are, the cargo owner (named the consignor) contacting the fowarding agent, ..the fowarding agent identifying the carrier,. ..either through the shipper of directly to the shipowner the cargo is collected at the cargo collection point (the freight station),.. .at the freight station the cargo is stowed in crates ( if not done by the owner) and containers, .from the freight station the cargo is transferred to the port,. .the cargo then is handled by the port and put on board the ship,. .the ship carries the cargo to the port of destination,.. .and the same process repeats itself, but in reverse order, at the other end, .before reaching the receiver of the consignment (named the consignee). Through the process the cargo change ownership (can be viewed that way because while in their custody the bear the risk of damage or loss) many times marked by exchange of documents between various parties, ..first between the consignor and the fowarding agent) ,.. ..second between the consignor and the inland transporter,.. ..third between the shipper and the inland transporter,.. ..fourth between the shipper and the port authority,. ..fifth between the port authority and the ships captain,..

3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10

3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15

3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19

..and the process repeats itself until it finishes after changing five more times, the most. The disadvantages are to the owner of the cargo in term of possible loss or damage to it. Also on the complication faced by them during clearance at ports or the freight stations locally or at the foreign land. The new concept is aimed at reducing these while at the same time offering more efficient service.

4.0

THE NEW CONCEPT 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 The philosophy behind intermodalism is coordination among various modes of transportation that makes up the total system. The features of intermodalism is one document for the whole journey of the cargo under the door-to-door concept. The carriage of the good is thus, as far as the cargo owner is concerned, under the responsibility of one gurdian. The single document should thus carries all information that were supposed to appear in all the documents used in the old concept. The document should also be usable for the purpose of custom clearance at ports. The infrastructural requirement for the implementation of intermodalism includes all for the previous set up plus better global electronic communication means especially the international computer networking system. This should covers all areas including the remote inland ports along the inland waterways system; says in Sarawak of Malaysia. The barrier to the implementation of intermodalism is none but the financial burden in setting up the global telecummunication networks. It is apparent that Malaysia is participating in the effort to bring this concept to success. Effort by Malaysia includes the MultiMedia Super Corridor lately programmed by the government plus better institutional set up for administratine and operational details in international ocean transportation.

4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10

5.0

CLOSING 5.1 5.2 5.3 Intermodalism is introduced to reduce documentation involved during ocean transportation and thus offering more efficient service. Implementation of intermodalism needs investment in the setting up of better international telecommunication system. Investment towards intermodalism should be borne by all related institutions.