Multi modal containerised transport for export and import through Western India – a supply chain perspective

This report describes a stream of physical activities, involving multiple modes of transport and handling, and multiple actors – in the context of supply chain management. Part 1 is a general introduction to the area of multimodal transport and containerised movement of goods. It outlines some elements of an integrated logistics strategy and the various agencies involved in this. Part 2 provides an analysis of one particular channel through which containerised movements through rail and road move through one of the major ports in India. The main focus is to map the flows of material, information, finance and transactions in this supply chain and see how the manaegment of these flows fit in with supply chain objectives. This has implications on the planning and use of IT for this purpose are and the way the actors involved in this chain organise themselves. This is elaborated for two of the major actors in this: Container Corporation of India (Concor) and Indian Railways (IR).