Standardization of Logistics Systems in North Eastern Asia: Standardization of Information and Technology in Container Transportation

Abstract

With the rapid growth of the Chinese economy, the North Eastern Asian economy has emerged as the third-largest economic block in the world. Also the North Eastern Asian economy handles 34.1% of the world container trade in 2004, and has recorded the 10% annual growth and is expected to triple its volume by 2025. Considering such a growth in international trade and economy within the North Eastern Asian region, there is a growing need for standardizing logistics operations in Korea and among its neighboring countries.

Logistics standardization refers to the concerted efforts of simplifying and unifying logistics hardware, such as logistics tools, equipment types, shape, size, and structure, as well as software intended for facilitating logistics information flow, smoothing out physical distribution flow, and then improving logistics efficiency through the connected algorithm. Logistics standardization may contribute to logistics cost savings and logistics efficiency through simplification and the subsequent elimination of waste.

Rules and systems associated with the standardization of container transportation are collected for North Eastern Asian countries, such as Korea, China, Russia and Mongolia. The status and issues associated with container transportation are studied on container transportation statistics, transportation modes, container boxes, loading/unloading equipments, logistics information processing. Special focus is drawn on the standardization of logistics information system and application of new technologies. Korean efforts for the development of logistics information system are introduced, which can integrate logistic information across the network (customs, trade, and port management) and the logistics entities (government, shippers, logistics firms). Challenges and opinions regarding the logistics standardization of Northeastern Asian countries are summarized and future directions are suggested.