Coordination in a supply chain for bulk chemicals

A chemical plant in the Netherlands uses large annual supplies of a bulk chemical. A number of suppliers deliver their parcels from overseas by short sea vessel to a transshipment point where they are stored using a tank farm. Transportation from the transshipment point to the plant takes place by barge. Coordination of the schedules of vessels and barge provides the opportunity for board to board loading. Board to board loading provides clear benefits for the plant´s operator, as it requires less handling and intermediate storage at the transshipment point. We demonstrate this by experiments conducted with a simulation model. The results are confirmed by analytical means.