Container Logistics Planning

Container Freight Software

MJC²'s container freight planning and logistics scheduling software provides strategic and real-time optimization functionality for multimodal container transport operations:

• Global Freight Forwarding: end-to-end synchromodal logistics optimization
• Hinterland Logistics: integrated truck, rail, barge and short sea movement planning
• Real-time Truck Scheduling: automated driver/truck scheduling and dispatch
• Strategic Optimization: supply chain de-stressing and resilience analysis

MJC² provides integrated, configurable software solutions which plan and optimize all aspects of the multimodal logistics network in real-time, including port operations, haulier assignment, employee schedules, container repositioning and depot/terminal operations.

Award winning solution: our multimodal logistics scheduling software won the Containerisation International IT Innovation Award - please click here for more details.

Why is multimodal logistics planning hard?: for a brief explanation of why multimodal logistics optimization much harder than might be expected please click here.

Synchromodal Freight Forwarding

What is Synchromodal Logistics?

Synchromodal logistics planning means exploiting the possibility of dynamically switching between modes to increase efficiency and reliability in the supply chain.

Conventionally shippers determine a preferred route for a particular shipment, which is then essentially treated as "fixed". In a synchromodal operation, the routing of the consignment is constantly monitored and potentially re-optimized, in response to delays or other operational issues.

For example, initially a shipment might be planned to move via truck to a rail terminal, then by rail to the port, then by ship, then by barge and finally by truck again.

If the ship is delayed, the synchromodal optimization algorithms can automatically find an alternative solution to avoid the shipment being late, perhaps using a faster rail connection instead of the barge to make up lost time.

Real-time Freight Dispatch Software

Real-time visibility and tracking data is becoming more widely available. On the other hand, unfortunately delays in ports and other major terminals are also frequent.

MJC²'s software exploits the former to address the issues caused by the latter:

• At the initial booking stage, artificial intelligence-based algorithms search for the best door-to-door multimodal routing for the consignment.
• Real-time tracking data is analysed to monitor the progress of the shipment and to automatically detect delays and other deviations.
• If the system detects a delay that is severe enough to "break" the onward chain of movements, the AI algorithms automatically search for a new solution.
• The freight forwarder is presented with a list of valid solutions, along with key indicators, to allow them to make the best choice for their client.

The synchromodal approach not only increases reliability, but provides opportunities for cost savings by automatically refining the schedule in response to changing input data.

Hinterland Logistics Planning

Our hinterland logistics optimization solutions are capable of optimizing thousands of container movements in seconds, and can respond dynamically to real-time events such as delays, last-minute schedule changes, congestion, etc. Typical applications of our intermodal software include:

• Multimodal scheduling: integrated planning of ship/barge/rail/truck operations
• Allocation optimization: automatic allocation of work to transport service providers
• Freight matching: combinations to save distance and reduce carbon footprint
• Container inventory planning: intelligent balancing and repositioning optimization

Benefits of implementing our freight systems include reduced haulage costs, more efficient use and reuse of containers, increased adherence to schedule and more flexible customer service.

Real-time Truck Scheduling

Our real-time freight dispatch software enables dynamic planning of complex multimodal logistics networks, optimizing thousands of movements/consignments in seconds, taking account of all operational constraints at terminals, ports, warehouses, depots, sortation centres and final delivery/collection locations.

Integration with GPS and smartphone-based tracking software provides visibility across the fleet, enabling automatic reallocation of work and re-routing of trucks and container movements.

Real-time connectivity with port community systems and freight forwarder platforms allows capture and transmission of status updates and fast response to changing requirements.

MJC²'s dynamic planning software can schedule and re-schedule haulage movements in real-time, receiving information such as location and transport order status to automatically update the transport schedule and re-issue it to hauliers, continuously optimizing the operation as the day evolves.

Strategic Multimodal Optimization

De-stressing the Supply Chain

In recent years there has been a significant focus in the shipper community on the balance between cost, reliability and environmental footprint.

MJC², working in collaboration with leading shippers and logistics service providers such as Dell, P&G, DHL, Kuehne+Nagel and Cosco has developed new supply chain "de-stressing" algorithms which allow shippers to optimize logistics operations in a more sophisticated way.

Based on the synchromodal approach described above, but applied at a strategic level, shippers can use these algorithms to optimize their supply chains, looking for opportunities to increase resilience in a cost-effective way.

The 'what-if' capability allows fast development and analysis of contingency plans for important supply routes. For example 'what if port X is closed for two months?', 'what if a major rail link is damaged?', etc.

Strategic Network Optimization

MJC²'s strategic planning software optimizes the assignment of work to haulage, shipping and transport suppliers, minimising costs while increasing flexibility and reducing response times.

MJC²'s strategic supply chain logistics management systems can model all the complexities of intermodal operations, including factors such as freight consolidation, trunking, changeover points and staging locations, fixed or variable timetables for rail, maritime, inland water and air freight movements, corridors and freight highways, etc.