Overview
The logistics of empty containers is a major issue for any shipping company, which must provide empty containers to any export point, by quantity, type, and time required, at minimal cost. A company may hold hundreds of thousands containers, serving hundreds of ports (many inland), and the cost of empty containers logistics can reach hundreds of millions dollars annually.
IBM Haifa developed an optimization system that handles the repositioning of empty containers for shipping companies. The Logistics Optimization System (LOS) is a powerful optimization and analytics engine that applies optimization algorithms to produce a detailed plan for containers at each port and thereby reduce costs.
LOS coordinates between regional logistics offices and the head office using a web-based system. It provides a broad range of online information, screens, and reports, with very fast response time.
