The main processes of the export include the delivery and the settling process. The goods is delivered by the customer to the port terminal during the delivery process. If necessary the port operator takes the good and stores it on a load carrier. In the settling process the goods are either driven in the ship by “service load carriers”, or the load carrier with the good is parked on the ship deck.
Additionally, in the course of relocations empty load carriers are stratified on top of each other by forklifts to so-called "stacks". An overview of all processes with the participation of load carriers is shown in figure 2.
Weaknesses of the current situation
Based on a detailed analysis of import and export processes at the port terminal, the following
weaknesses are identified:
1. Unknown location of individual load carrier
2. Unknown owner of empty load carrier
3. Lost fee claims towards shipping companies