Intermodal freight terminals : terminal business planning

The main purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for existing- and newly proposed inter-modal freight terminals in their business planning process. This framework is important for constructing- and improving the central terminal service portfolio of handling (loading, discharging, and transhipping) and storage of containerised cargo. Supportive activities (e.g. administration, customs) are taken into account as well. In particular, its aim is to investigate whether business planning offers a good approach for terminal operators in order to construct and improve their terminal service portfolio. The specific problem addressed here is as follows: To what extent is Business Planning useful for terminal operators in order to be able to construct and improve their intermodal freight terminal service portfolio? Questions that will be answered in this paper are: who is the principle agent in the combined transport channel? How can the terminal operator improve its market power in the combined transport chain? Should the terminal operator seek a take-over with a European logistics service provider? Should the terminal operator look for a merger with a physical transport company? Should the terminal operator look for acquisitions of other freight terminals? The terminal operator should look for a take-over by a global player? The conclusion of this paper is that business planning offers an excellent opportunity to terminal operators to better construct and operate their terminal service portfolio. The main conclusions are that: