Transport, Shipping, Ports and Maritime Research Group

We seek to advance thinking on the interactions between transport modes and methods in complex operating environments.

The Transport, Shipping, Ports and Maritime Research Group (TRANSPAM) researches and publishes in the areas of land transport operations, shipping and transport economics, air transport operations, trade, transport and maritime law, humanitarian and emergency supply chains, sustainability in transport, modelling and simulation of supply chains, and transport networks.

TRANSPAM aims to direct its output into operational practices and to improve policy decision-making in these areas.

Below is a list of conference papers, books and book chapters, and published journal articles.

Conference papers

Woo, S., Pettit, S. and Oh, J. 2020. Research in port automation, digitalisation and socio-technical systems: LDA and network analysis. Presented at: e-LRN 2020 Special Web Conference, Virtual, 9-11 September 2020.
Theocharis, D.et al. 2019. Viability of the Northern Sea Route for the product tanker segment: The role of distance, ship size and fuel prices. Presented at: 27th Annual IAME Conference,, Athens, Greece, 25-28 June 2019.
Ayaz, A., Beresford, A. and Pettit, S. 2019. An analysis of China Pakistan economic corridor routes in Pakistan: Modal choice, costs and schedules. Presented at: International Conference on Logistics and Transport, 14 - 16 November 2019.
Nikolopoulos, K.et al. 2019. A risk-mitigation model driven from the level of forecastability of Black Swans: prepare and respond to major Earthquakes through a dynamic Temporal and Spatial Aggregation forecasting framework. Bangor: Bangor University. Available at: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/business/research/documents/BBSWP-19-17.pdf
Beresford, A., Banomyong, R. and Pettit, S. 2019. Developing an holistic model for multimodal transportation. Presented at: International Symposium on Multimodal Transport, 6-7 December 2019.
Jelodari, E.et al. 2019. An Improved Tabu search algorithm for the multi-period bid generation problem with the consideration of delivery lead times. Presented at: 9th IFAC Conference on Manufacturing Modelling, Management and Control, 28-30 August 2019.
Hrusovsky, M.et al. 2019. Innovative approaches for supporting sustainable and reliable planning of rail and intermodal transport. Presented at: EURO 2019, Dublin, Ireland, 23-26 June 2019. pp. -.
Demir, E. 2019. Truck platooning: The future?. Presented at: Logistics Research Network Annual Conference 2019, Northamption, UK, 4-6 September 2019Building a platform for international success. CILT UK pp. 255-259.
Wiradanti, B.et al. 2018. In between global main shipping routes: similarities and differences between Indonesia and the Caribbean. Presented at: Maritime Bahamas 2018, Nassau, Bahamas, 17 - 19 October 2018.
Wells, P.et al. 2018. Future CO2 emissions from shipping: a four scenario analysis using the Multi-Level Perspective. Presented at: Maritime Bahamas 2018, Nassau, Bahamas, 116-19 October 2018.
Hrusovsky, M.et al. 2019. Supporting sustainable freight transport by introducing innovative planning approaches. Presented at: Operations Research 2019, Dresden, Germany, 3-6 Sept 2019.
Lim, S., Pettit, S. and Abouarghoub, W. 2018. A systematic literature review on port sustainability performance. Presented at: British Academy of Management Conference, Bristol, UK, 4 - 6 September 2018.
Nikolopoulos, K.et al. 2018. A risk-mitigation model driven from the level of forecastability of black swans: prepare and respond to major earthquakes through a dynamic temporal and spatial aggregation forecasting framework. Presented at: 24th IIF Workshop: Forecasting for Social Good, Cardiff, UK, 12 - 13 July 2018.
Wells, P. E.et al. 2018. Future CO2 emissions from shipping: four-scenarios using a multi-level perspective - a proposed methodology. Presented at: Global Maritime Conference (GLOBMAR 2018), Sopot, Poland, 19-20 April 2018.
Pettit, S.et al. 2018. Theoretical developments in humanitarian aid supply chain management. Presented at: 9th European Decision Science Institute Conference, Udine, Italy, 3-6 June 2018.
Ma, W.et al. 2017. Inter-organisational power: a structured review and implications for future research. Presented at: International Symposium on Logistics, Ljubliana, Slovenia, 9-12 July 2017.
Pettit, S., Abouarghoub, W. and Beresford, A. 2017. An investigation into port congestion post the Arab Spring: the case of the Libyan crisis. Presented at: International Symposium on Logistics, Ljubliana, Slovenia, 9-12 July 2017.
Theocharis, D., Pettit, S. and Sanchez Rodrigues, V. 2017. A systematic literature review of maritime routing studies with a specific focus on arctic shipping. Presented at: International Association of Maritime Economists Conference, Kyoto, Japan, 27-30 June 2017.
Wiradanti, B.et al. 2017. Peripherality in ports: a literature review on concentration / de-concentration factors. Presented at: International Association of Maritime Economists Conference, Kyoto, Japan, 27-30 June 2017.
Sanchez Rodrigues, V., Wang, X. and Demir, E. 2018. Ocado salads waste project - A modelling project from Cardiff University. Presented at: Efficient Customer Response Meeting, Hamburg, Germany, 7 June 2018.
Wiradanti, B.et al. 2017. Investing in peripheral ports: perception of stakeholders in the Indonesian port and maritime industry. Presented at: 21st Logistics Research Network Conference, Southampton, 6-8 September 2017.
Sanchez Rodrigues, V.et al. 2018. Food waste in the online grocery supply chain: The case of Ocado’s salads. Presented at: Efficient Customer Response Meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, 23-24 October 2018.
Pettit, S. 2017. Port developments and maritime futures. Presented at: Chung-Ang University International Logistics Conference 2017, Seoul, Korea, 27 October 2017.
Xiaorui, R., Beresford, A. and Pettit, S. 2017. An analysis of the competitive position of the Eurasian Land Bridge, China to Germany. Presented at: ICLT - 9th International Conference on Logistics and Transport, Bangkok, Thailand, 1-3 November 2017.
Beresford, A., Banomyong, R. and Pettit, S. 2017. International freight logistics in South East Asia. Presented at: International Association of Ports and Harbours Conference, 2017, Bali, Indonesia, May 2017.
Demir, E., Abouarghoub, W. and Syntetos, A. 2018. Modelling the delivery slots for the last mile delivery: Costs and emissions. Presented at: The 23rd International Symposium on Logistics (ISL 2018), Bali, Indonesia, 8-11 July 2018.
Abouarghoub, W. and Alizadeh, A. 2017. A Markov Regime switching approach for forecasting short and long term dry bulk freight rates. Presented at: International Association of Maritime Economists Conference, Kyoto, Japan, 27-30 June 2017.

Books and book chapters

Masmoudi, M. . A., Hosny, M. and Demir, E. 2019. An adaptive large neighborhood search heuristic for the green dial‐a‐ride problem. In: Besbes, W. et al. eds. Solving Transport Problems: Towards Green Logistics. Wiley, pp. 1-26., (10.1002/9781119686750)
Woo, S. H., Pettit, S. and Beresford, A. 2020. Logistics performance of supply chain-oriented ports. In: Song, D. and Panayides, P. eds. Maritime Logistics: A Guide to Contemporary Shipping and Port Management 3rd Edition. Kogan Page
Beresford, A. and Pettit, S. 2019. A contextual history of port research at Cardiff University. In: Wells, P. ed. Contemporary Operations and Logistics: Achieving Excellence in Turbulent Times. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 281-300.
Pettit, S. and Beresford, A. 2019. Humanitarian aid supply chain management. In: Wells, P. ed. Contemporary Operations and Logistics. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 341-364.
Demir, E.et al. 2019. Vehicle routing problem: Past and future. In: Wells, P. ed. Contemporary Operations and Logistics: Achieving Excellence in Turbulent Times. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 97-117., (10.1007/978-3-030-14493-7_7)
Kim, J.et al. 2018. An exploration of horizontal supply chain integration for humanitarian and disaster relief. In: Tatham, P. and Christopher, M. eds. Humanitarian Logistics: Meeting the challenge of preparing for and responding to disasters. Kogan Page, pp. 113-141.
Abouarghoub, W. and Haider, J. 2019. Shipping economics: status and future prospects. In: Wells, P. ed. Contemporary Operations and Logistics. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 259-279.
Abdugalimov, Z., Beresford, A. and Pettit, S. 2018. Multimodal transport of mining equipment from Germany to Kazakhstan. In: Neise, R. ed. Container Logistics: The Role of the Container in the Supply Chain. Kogan Page, pp. 169-201.
Pettit, S. and Beresford, A. eds. 2017. Port management - cases in port geography, operations and policy. Kogan Page.
Pettit, S. and Beresford, A. 2017. Introduction. In: Pettit, S. and Beresford, A. eds. Port Management - Cases in Port Geography, Operations and Policy. Kogan Page, pp. 1-10.
Masmoudi, M. . A., Hosny, M. and Demir, E. 2019. An improved adaptive large neighborhood search heuristic for the green dial-a-ride problem. In: Besbes, W., Dhouib, D. and Marrekchi, E. eds. Optimization of Green Transportation Problems: Fundamentals and Applications. Wiley
Beresford, A. K. C. and Pettit, S. J. eds. 2017. International freight transport: cases, structures and prospects. Kogan Page.
Beresford, A. K. C. and Pettit, S. J. 2017. Introduction: cases, structures and prospects. In: International Freight Transport: Cases, Structures and Prospects. Kogan Page, pp. 1-9.
Bimaganbetov, T., Beresford, A. K. C. and Pettit, S. J. 2017. Multimodal transport solutions for grain exports from Kazakhstan. In: International Freight Transport: Cases, Structures and Prospects. Kogan Page, pp. 79-99.
Pettit, S. J. and Beresford, A. K. C. 2017. Port development: from gateways to logistics hubs. In: Talley, W. ed. Maritime Economics. Critical Concepts in Economics Routledge
Demir, E. 2018. Value creation through green vehicle routing. In: Zeimpekis, V. et al. eds. Sustainable Freight Transport:Theory, Models, and Case Studies. Operations Research/Computer Science Interfaces Series Springer, pp. 63-78.
Kim, J.et al. 2017. Understanding humanitarian and disaster relief supply chain integration. In: Kovacs, G., Spens, K. and Moshtari, M. eds. The Palgrave Handbook of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Palgrave McMillan
Mason, R. J., Pettit, S. and Beresford, A. 2017. Port-centric logistics - the seaport versus inland location dilemma. In: Pettit, S. and Beresford, A. eds. Port Management - Cases in Port Geography, Operations and Policy. Kogan Page, pp. 470-485.
Wells, P., 2019. Zero-carbon logistics, Chapter 6 pp 81-96 in in Wells, P. (ed) Contemporary Operations and Logistics: Achieving excellence in turbulent times, Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan.
Wells, P., 2019. Business model innovation at the interface between global production systems and local demand, Chapter 4 pp 45-60 in Wells, P. (ed) Contemporary Operations and Logistics: Achieving excellence in turbulent times, Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan.

Selected publications

Nikolopoulos, K. et al., 2022. A disaster response model driven by spatial-temporal forecasts. International Journal of Forecasting 38 (3), pp.1214-1220. (10.1016/j.ijforecast.2020.01.002)
Tikani, H. , Setak, M. and Demir, E. 2021. A risk-constrained time-dependent cash-in-transit routing problem in multigraph under uncertainty. European Journal of Operational Research 293 (2), pp.703-730. (10.1016/j.ejor.2020.12.020)
Lin, M. S. , Potter, A. and Pettit, S. 2021. Relationship heterogeneity in Taiwanese maritime logistics service supply chains. Supply Chain Management 26 (3), pp.385-401. (10.1108/SCM-03-2019-0116)
Chen, C. et al., 2021. The adoption of self-driving delivery robots in last mile logistics. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 146 102214. (10.1016/j.tre.2020.102214)
Tikani, H. , Setak, M. and Demir, E. 2021. Multi-objective periodic cash transportation problem with path dissimilarity and arrival time variation. Expert Systems with Applications 164 114015. (10.1016/j.eswa.2020.114015)
Hrusovsky, M. et al., 2021. Real-time disruption management approach for intermodal freight transportation. Journal of Cleaner Production 280 (P2) 124826. (10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124826)
Moghdani, R. et al., 2021. The green vehicle routing problem: a systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production 279 123691. (10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123691)
Liu, H. et al. 2020. Developing logistics value propositions: drawing Insights from a distributed manufacturing solution. Industrial Marketing Management 89 , pp.517-527. (10.1016/j.indmarman.2020.03.011)
Wang, L. and Wells, P. 2020. Automobilities after SARS-CoV-2: a socio-technical perspective. Sustainability 12 5978. (10.3390/su12155978)
Wells, P. et al. 2020. More friends than foes? The impact of automobility-as-a-service on the incumbent automotive industry. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 154 119975. (10.1016/j.techfore.2020.119975)
Masmoudi, M. A. et al., 2020. Container truck transportation routing as a mixed fleet heterogeneous dial-a-ride problem. Presented at: 9th International Conference on Engineering, Project, and Production Management (EPPM2018) Cape Town, South Africa 24-26 November 2018. Vol. 312.(10.1051/matecconf/202031202005)
Eshtehadi, R. , Demir, E. and Huang, Y. 2020. Solving the vehicle routing problem with multi-compartment vehicles for city logistics. Computers and Operations Research 115 104859. (10.1016/j.cor.2019.104859)
Masmoudi, M. A. et al., 2020. Hybrid adaptive large neighborhood search algorithm for the mixed fleet heterogeneous dial-a-ride problem. Journal of Heuristics 26 (1), pp.83-118. (10.1007/s10732-019-09424-x)
Nguyen, P. N. et al., 2020. Competition, market concentration, and relative efficiency of major container ports in Southeast Asia. Journal of Transport Geography 83 102653. (10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102653)
Wiradanti, B. et al., 2020. Willingness to invest in peripheral ports: Perceptions of Indonesian port and maritime industry stakeholders. Maritime Economics and Logistics (10.1057/s41278-020-00147-6)
Wells, P. et al. 2020. A socio-technical transitions perspective for assessing future sustainability following the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy 16 (1), pp.29-36. (10.1080/15487733.2020.1763002)
Mostafa, A. M. S. et al. 2019. High‐commitment human resource practices and employee outcomes: The contingent role of organisational identification. Human Resource Management Journal 29 (4), pp.620-636. (10.1111/1748-8583.12248)
Haider, J. , Ou, Z. and Pettit, S. 2019. Predicting corporate failure for listed shipping companies. Maritime Economics & Logistics 21 (3), pp.415-438. (10.1057/s41278-018-0101-4)
Theocharis, D. et al. 2019. Feasibility of the Northern Sea Route: The role of distance, fuel prices,ice breaking fees and ship size for the product tanker market. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 129 , pp.111 - 135. (10.1016/j.tre.2019.07.003)
Ghiami, Y. et al., 2019. A deteriorating inventory routing problem for an inland liquefied natural gas distribution network. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological 126 , pp.45-67. (10.1016/j.trb.2019.05.014)
Lim, S. et al. 2019. Port sustainability and performance: a systematic literature review. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 72 , pp.47-64. (10.1016/j.trd.2019.04.009)
Demir, E. et al. 2019. Green intermodal freight transportation: bi-objective modeling and analysis. International Journal of Production Research 57 (19), pp.6162-6180. (10.1080/00207543.2019.1620363)
Masmoudi, M. A. et al., 2018. The dial-a-ride problem with electric vehicles and battery swapping stations. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 118 , pp.392-420. (10.1016/j.tre.2018.08.005)
Ghilas, V. et al., 2018. Branch-and-price for the pickup and delivery problem with time windows and scheduled lines. Transportation Science 52 (5), pp.1191-1210. (10.1287/trsc.2017.0798)
Skeete, J. 2018. Level 5 autonomy: the new face of disruption in road transport. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 134 , pp.22-34. (10.1016/j.techfore.2018.05.003)
Hrusovský, M. et al., 2018. Hybrid simulation and optimization approach for green intermodal transportation problem with travel time uncertainty. Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal 30 (3), pp.486-516. (10.1007/s10696-016-9267-1)
Masmoudi, M. A. et al., 2018. A study on the heterogeneous fleet of alternative fuel vehicles: Reducing CO2 emissions by means of biodiesel fuel. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 63 , pp.137-155. (10.1016/j.trd.2018.04.025)
Sever, D. et al., 2018. The dynamic shortest path problem with time-dependent stochastic disruptions. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies 92 , pp.42-57. (10.1016/j.trc.2018.04.018)
Abouarghoub, W. , Nomikos, N. K. and Petropoulos, F. 2018. On reconciling macro and micro energy transport forecasts for strategic decision making in the tanker industry. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 113 , pp.225-238. (10.1016/j.tre.2017.10.012)
Theocharis, D. et al. 2018. Arctic shipping: a systematic literature review of comparative studies. Journal of Transport Geography 69 , pp.112-128. (10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.04.010)
Soysal, M. , Cimen, M. and Demir, E. 2018. On the mathematical modeling of green one-to-one pickup and delivery problem with road segmentation. Journal of Cleaner Production 174 , pp.1664-1678. (10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.040)
Kwak, D. et al., 2018. Risk interaction identification in international supply chain logistics: developing a holistic model. International Journal of Operations and Production Management 38 (2), pp.372-389. (10.1108/IJOPM-03-2016-0121)
Harris, I. et al. 2018. The impact of alternative routeing and packaging scenarios on carbon and sulphate emissions in international wine distribution.. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 58 , pp.261-279. (10.1016/j.trd.2016.08.036)
Pettit, S. et al. 2018. Revisiting history: Can shipping achieve a second socio-technical transition for carbon emissions reduction?. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 58 , pp.292-307. (10.1016/j.trd.2017.05.001)
Woo, S. et al., 2018. Multimodal route choice in maritime transportation: the case of Korean auto-parts exporters. Maritime Policy & Management 45 (1), pp.19-33. (10.1080/03088839.2017.1344783)
Wiradanti, B. et al. 2018. Ports, peripherality and concentration - deconcentration factors: a review. Maritime Business Review 3 (4), pp.375-393. (10.1108/MABR-09-2018-0040)
Franceschetti, A. et al., 2017. A metaheuristic for the time-dependent pollution-routing problem. European Journal of Operational Research 259 (3), pp.972-991. (10.1016/j.ejor.2016.11.026)
Dabia, S. , Demir, E. and Woensel, T. V. 2017. An exact approach for a variant of the pollution-routing problem. Transportation Science 51 (2), pp.607-628. (10.1287/trsc.2015.0651)
Skeete, J. 2017. Examining the role of policy design and policy interaction in EU automotive emissions performance gaps. Energy Policy 104 , pp.373-381. (10.1016/j.enpol.2017.02.018)
Eshtehadi, R. , Fathian, M. and Demir, E. 2017. Robust solutions to the pollution-routing problem with demand and travel time uncertainty. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 51 , pp.351-363. (10.1016/j.trd.2017.01.003)

Current research

GIRO-ZERO is a £400K project funded of the UK Pact programme of the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The project will accelerate vehicle renewal and technologies to reduce the miles run, fuel consumed, and CO2e emitted by vehicles operating within the Colombian road freight transport sector. Drawing on the team’s expertise in logistics, transportation, management science and economics, the project is assessing the viability of adopting alternative technologies, such as low carbon vehicle technologies like electric vehicles, hydrogen and biofuels, and dynamic planning tools that enhance the planning and execution of trips run by trucking companies in Colombia.
- The GIRO-ZERO academic research team includes Dr Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues (Cardiff University Lead and Principal Expert), Dr Emrah Demir, Dr Wessam Abouarghoub and Professor Anthony Beresford (Principal Experts), and Professor Gordon Wilmsmeier and Dr Juan Pablo Bocarejo Suescun (Principal Experts), Dr Carlos Eduardo Hernández Castillo (Project Lead). The Cardiff University team of the project is supervising the research being undertaken by Cristiam Andres Gil Gonzalez and Andres Felipe Rey Ladino, two research associates working on the project.
Professor Liana Cipcigan in ENGIN, with Professor Peter Wells and Dr J-P Skeete in CARBS, have been awarded a project by Greyling on behalf of Hitachi Capital to investigate the likely future inflection points for the purchase of new battery electric vehicles in the UK.
- This project combines technical, market, regulatory, business, and consumer issues to inform a qualitative systems dynamic model analysis on the future supply and demand for battery electric vehicles in the UK new car market.
Co-growth is a £930K project funded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) and Welsh Government.
- The project aims to facilitate co-operation among the Welsh drinks producers through the adoption of cluster-based approaches. Co-growth is influencing practices within the Welsh drinks sector and developing collaboration models and tools to inform decision made by drinks producers on when to collaborate, who to collaborate with and the benefits of collaboration (informal versus formal collaboration).
- The project intends to enable Welsh drinks producers to grow sustainably with incremental capital investment and meeting environmental goals. The co-operation activities supported by Co-growth are expected to have positive impact on key performance indicators that are crucial for the Welsh economy and society, namely growth, return on investment, water and energy usage, carbon footprint and productivity.

Recent completed research projects

STARS. A 36-month study into car sharing schemes in the European Union. Consortium led by Politecnico Milano. Funded by the Horizon 2020 programme. Ended March 2020. STARS project reports:
- Wells, P., Liu, H., Maurice, S., Sanvicente, E. and Beccaria, S., 2018. Review of the Impacts on the Automobility Market. Download the Impacts on the Automobility Market research (PDF).
- Wells, P., Liu, H. and Beccaria, S., 2018. Review of the Impacts on the Automotive Industry. Download the Impacts on the Automotive Industry research (PDF).
Ocado Group plc (2019-2020)
ESRC - Cheshire & Warrrington LEP (2019)
Knowledge Transfer Partnership Project at Ocado Group plc (2019-2021)
CILT Seed corn funding (2018-2019): Truck Platooning
Ocado Group plc (2018): Addressing Salad Supply Chains
ESRC/Panalpina (2017-2018): Conquering the last mile
ESRC/Panalpina (2017-2018) : Same day, same way?
The economic value of shipping to the UK economy;
The implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention within Far East Maritime Colleges;
A survey of Higher Education Courses in the UK and Europe in the field of Maritime Economics and Logistics;
An Analysis of the cost structure of the main TEN ports (ATENCO);
Work Organisation in Ports (WORKPORT);
Maritime education and training project (METNET) as part of the NEPTUNE consortium.
Academics from the TRANSPAM also work with the Logistics Systems Dynamics Group, and with Cardiff University’s multidisciplinary Sustainable Places Research Institute. The group has international collaborative links for teaching and research, notably with Malaysia, Brazil, China, and South Korea.