D5 Annex report WP 3: ETIS Database methodology ... - ETIS plus

D5 Annex WP 3: DATABASE METHODOLOGY AND DATABASE USER
MANUAL – FREIGHT TRANSPORT DEMAND
4.8.2 Containerisation
Determining the containerisation is a real challenge due to the lack of data and the
unreliability/incompleteness of the available material. An important source in which a container
indicator is included is the COMEXT data. Another important source is the maritime statistics
of EUROSTAT in which container information is available. The use of this source in the
method will be analysed.
The ability to observe and measure levels of containerisation within COMEXT is typically
limited to extra­EU trade flows. However, intra­EU flows also need to be covered within ETIS.
One possibility is to use a methodology developed by MDS Transmodal in which a broad
segmentation is made by commodity according to the expected handling requirements of the
products in question. The trade data is analysed at 5 digit SITC level (3500 different
commodity descriptions) and they are assigned to two main cargo types:
· Non­unitised;
· Unitised.
The non­unitised set, can typically be excluded from an analysis of containerisation. Instead, it
can be further sub­divided into dry bulk, liquid bulk, semi bulk and general cargo categories.
The ratios differ by corridor, so that for example, deep sea flows may have different
characteristics compared to short sea.
The unitised or “unitisable” set relates to commodities that are typically higher value goods that
may be handled in containers, but which may also travel in road trailers. It is not possible to
ascertain from a commodity description the actual mode of transport as this also depends upon
the distance from origin to destination, the transport mode choices available, their costs, and in
some cases upon the balance of containerised cargo in each direction. Therefore the assignment
of the category ‘unitised’ a commodity is the limit of this process.
Unitised flows can also converted into FEUs (forty foot equivalent container units), analogous
to 40­44 tonne truck­loads. Again this is based upon the 5 digit SITC commodity, which
improves the accuracy when there is a mix of commodity types within a single 2 digit
definition. Like this, the volume traded can be expressed as unit loads without the actual mode
being assigned.
4.8.3 Number of transport units (vehicles/vessels) by type
The determination of the number of transport units (number of vehicles for road, number of
trains for rail and number of vessels for inland waterways and maritime transport) depends very
much on the quality of the mode split data, and upon surveys providing profiles of vehicle type.
The methodology depends upon knowing the mode of transport, the length of haul and the
commodity.
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27 May 2004
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