Transportation mode decisions and the evaluation of maritime transportation in a Swedish setting : A case study

Sammanfattning: Focus of this bachelor thesis is on examining the port located in Köping, thus a holistic view of maritime transportation is adapted in relation to the examined companies in the region and their global trade. The aim of this study is to examine the current situation and the potential to increase transportation of goods by maritime transportation and what criteria are the most important for different industrial/customer segments. The aim is divided into three research questions: • RQ1: Which decision criterions are considered in selection of transportation mode? • RQ2: What are the advantages and the disadvantages of the different transportation modes? • RQ3: When is maritime transportation preferable to road and railway? The research approach used in order to answer the aim and research questions were; literature review to gain an understanding of freight transportation in a broad context. To narrow down the area, freight transportation practice in the Swedish setting have been examined. Data collection for the Swedish setting have been collected through reports published by the national authorities. Lastly, data for freight transportation in the region of Western Mälardalen has been collected through a case study.Several criterions were found to be of importance during a transportation mode decision, as well as interrelationships between criterions. The identified criterions were cost, reliability and time, frequency and volume and lastly specific goods need. This was found to be in line with theoretical framework, especially the fact that the mode decision is vastly complex and highly depended upon which industry is making the decision, that is the context. A comparison of the modes was made to specify the benefits and downfalls with each mode for answering research question 2. Furthermore, an important identification is the gap between transportation purchaser and providers view of the reliability criterion. This difference can create a gap making it difficult to attract customers to maritime transportation. It is recommended that a thorough investigation is needed in order to examine what aspect of reliability is achievable and realistic in maritime transportation in general and for Köping´s Port in particular.