Research in the International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics has looked at one of the less obvious, but crucial, parts of global trade: how goods move between seaports and their inland destinations. This aspect of logistics is known as hinterland connections. The team have looked at how a digital scheduling system called the Truck Appointment System (TAS) might be used. They suggest that this technology has the potential to reduce congestion and improve efficiency, but its ultimate success will depend less on the tool itself and more on the corporate business models in which it is embedded.
TAS is a platform that allows haulage companies to book specific time slots for container pickups and drop-offs at ports. It aims to streamline operations by spreading truck arrivals more evenly throughout the day, cutting down queues, and helping ports manage capacity. But despite these obvious advantages, the system has had mixed results. Some ports see tangible benefits, others find it adds complexity without obvious improvements in efficiency.
The new work, based on interviews and field observations at five European container ports, investigates why TAS is effective in some contexts but falters in others. The research moves beyond technical analysis to examine how the system interacts with the commercial and operational priorities of ports and their logistics partners.
The team used a business model canvas, as a framework to break down the different components of a business, such as cost structures, revenue streams, and customer relationships. By approaching their analysis in this way, they could show how TAS could lead to improvements in efficiency but also change the way in which ports operate and engage with stakeholders to their advantage. For example, the findings show that ports with more flexible TAS policies, where truckers can cancel or change appointments without penalty, for instance, tend to have higher user participation.
Unfortunately, this flexibility undermines the reliability of scheduling data, making it harder for terminal operators to plan and allocate resources. Conversely, stricter regimes that penalise missed appointments deliver better data but deter some hauliers, especially smaller firms sensitive to cost and time constraints. There are thus deeper tensions between operational efficiency, service quality, and business relationships that TAS implementation can expose.
Ports with better hinterland connections can offer faster and more predictable service and so become more attractive to international shippers, potentially enhancing their economic competitiveness. By integrating TAS with real-time tracking and predictive systems, appointment scheduling could evolve into a broader coordination mechanism. This approach could link ships, terminals, hauliers, and even rail operators in a more dynamic and responsive logistics network. But, TAS needs to be aligned with business aims otherwise it simply becomes an additional layer of complexity in an already complex logistical world.
Wide, P., Rogerson, S. and Williamsson, J. (2025) ‘A business model perspective to enhance efficiency of port hinterland connection with truck appointment system – a multiple case study of ports in northern Europe‘, Int. J. Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp.271-289.