Exploring strategic characteristics of intermodal grain terminals: Empirical evidence from Brazil

Evaluation of the operational efficiency of southeast intermodal terminals in the grain logistics chain using data envelopment analysis

“…Furthermore, it is a technique that has a complementary character to other methodologies, such as cluster analysis. Thus, Santos et al (2018) used cluster analysis to identify strategic groups formed between small and large-scale intermodal terminals. On that occasion, Santos et al (2018) identified a greater concentration of secondary operations in small terminals, as they present a reduced volume of transshipment activities.…”

“…Thus, Santos et al (2018) used cluster analysis to identify strategic groups formed between small and large-scale intermodal terminals. On that occasion, Santos et al (2018) identified a greater concentration of secondary operations in small terminals, as they present a reduced volume of transshipment activities. These results complement the evidence of the present study, indicating a leadership of large terminals, in terms of reduced production, import and export costs, in order to easily reach the efficiency frontier.…”

“…Thus, although waterways are less expensive per kilometer (Peng et al, 2018), according to Mangini et al (2019), their use can be considered insignificant, in relation to the others. Besides, in some situations, railroads may be more suitable for long distances (Santos et al, 2018), and roads may be considered more economical for short and medium distances (Turner et al, 2019). Although grain intermodal terminals play a role in the basic logistic activities of storage and transshipment among different transport modals, these companies have some peculiarities because they deal with food.…”

“…Basic loading and unloading scheme in a transshipment terminalSantos et al (2018) emphasizes the important role in grain production handling of the South, Midwest and, to a lesser extent, the North-Central region, considering the municipalities of Barreiras, in Bahia, and Balsas, in Maranhão. However, the important participation of the Southeast in the 2011/2012 crop season should be noted, since it was the second largest grain producer, ranking among the South and Midwest of the capacity of the grain hoppers in inefficient DMUs, whereas they exceed the operating capacity of truck dumpers in 34% (National Company of Food Supply -CONAB, 2012).…”

“…However, the important participation of the Southeast in the 2011/2012 crop season should be noted, since it was the second largest grain producer, ranking among the South and Midwest of the capacity of the grain hoppers in inefficient DMUs, whereas they exceed the operating capacity of truck dumpers in 34% (National Company of Food Supply -CONAB, 2012). In addition, aspects such as the presence of a broad consumer market, or even ports through which the grains are transported, make the São Paulo-South route a strategically receptive region to grains(Santos et al, 2018) Santos et al (2018). emphasizes the fact that, from 1991 to 1998, the country showed an increase of 32.3% in soybean production.Between 2001 and 2010, soybean production increased about 43% in Brazil, with small decreases observed.…”