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An approach for measuring the optimal fleet capacity: Evidence from the container shipping lines in Taiwan

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  • Wu, Wei-Ming

Abstract

Excess capacity emerges as a persistent problem in the shipping industry and plays an essential role in determining the level of ocean freight. Consequently, the optimal fleet capacity has become a critical and frequently discussed issue within the container shipping industry. In practice, the designed capacity of a vessel is the most popular approach for measuring the fleet capacity for a shipping line. Despite this, it continues to lack the operational and economical reasonableness necessary to properly define or measure the capacity provided by a shipping line. This study has developed an economic model to find the optimal fleet capacity. In turn, the corresponding installation ratios have been computed to examine the level of excess capacity present and evaluate the performance of fleet development for three container shipping lines in Taiwan. The findings suggest that the shipping lines with deep-sea service routes are likely to deliberately hold excess capacity. Thus, the strategy of holding excess capacity to deter entry and maintain market power may have implicitly played a crucial role in determining the scale of fleet capacity for a container shipping line.

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  • Wu, Wei-Ming, 2009. "An approach for measuring the optimal fleet capacity: Evidence from the container shipping lines in Taiwan," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 122(1), pages 118-126, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:122:y:2009:i:1:p:118-126
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    2. Wu, Wei-Ming & Lin, Tsan-Hwan, 2015. "Selection behavior of the global container shipping industry for carrier-owned and leased containers," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 11-19.
    3. Zheng, Shiyuan & Luo, Meifeng, 2021. "Competition or cooperation? Ports’ strategies and welfare analysis facing shipping alliances," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    4. Wu, Wei-Ming & Lin, Jenn-Rong, 2015. "Productivity growth, scale economies, ship size economies and technical progress for the container shipping industry in Taiwan," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1-16.
    5. Kayakutlu, Gulgun & Buyukozkan, Gulcin, 2011. "Assessing performance factors for a 3PL in a value chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(2), pages 441-452, June.
    6. Wu, Wei-Ming & Huang, Deng-Shing, 2018. "Modelling the profitability of container shipping lines: Theory and empirical evidence," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 159-170.
    7. Mallidis, Ioannis & Iakovou, Eleftherios & Dekker, Rommert & Vlachos, Dimitrios, 2018. "The impact of slow steaming on the carriers’ and shippers’ costs: The case of a global logistics network," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 18-39.

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