Background, overview and purpose, mechanism, benefits

background:

With the Trump administration’s tariff hikes and deregulation policies weighing heavily on corporate management, reducing logistics costs will be a crucial key to maintaining competitiveness and ensuring profits.

In this situation, adopting the latest technology and quickly responding to infrastructure improvements is not just an option, but a necessary strategy for survival – now is the time to act.

Overview and Objectives:

The “QR Code System on EIR” provided by NPO ESCOT is an innovative solution that improves logistics efficiency and reduces environmental impact.

At the subway station, Otemachi Station, QR codes are printed on Braille signs, dramatically improving safety for the visually impaired.
By increasing the flexibility of “empty container returns,” this system achieves the following benefits at zero cost:

  • Improving logistics efficiency : By making the designation of destinations for empty container returns more flexible, it will encourage the guidance of containers from locations with excess inventory to locations with shortages.
  • CO2 reduction : Reducing fuel consumption reduces the environmental impact of the entire transportation sector.
    　　　　　*Theorem: “The length of one side of a triangle is less than the sum of the two sides.”
  • Improved competitiveness : Strengthening the international competitiveness of the supply chain by reducing the burden on drivers and revitalizing local ports and inland depots.

How it works:

  1. QR Code Usage :
    • The regular return address or QR code will be printed on the EIR (Equipment Interchange Receipt).
    • When the driver opens the QR code, the return location is displayed, making it easy to apply.
    • QR code management of all containers is also possible
  2. Return Process :
    • After clicking the QR code, select the desired return location on the shipping company’s website.
    • Follow the instructions to return the item.

merit:

Shipping company side

  • Cost reduction : Reduction in empty container transportation and handling costs.
  • Environmental contribution : Quantification of CO2 reduction effect. “Reduction effect = default value – improvement value”
  • Marketing effect : Improved convenience for shippers.
  • Revitalization of local ports : Economic benefits from improved regional balance.
  • Promoting the use of inland depots : Increase in container round use.

On the transport sector side :

  • Reduce burden on drivers : Time saved by changing return location.
  • Cost savings : Lower fuel costs and highway tolls.
  • Effective use of equipment : Improved head and chassis utilization efficiency.

Shipper companies:

  • SDGs: Maintaining sustainability at land-based costs
  • Domestic cargo transport support: It is also possible to coordinate transport with your own domestic transport

Reviewing empty container return practices…

  • Revise the uniform description at the return location of empty containers at EIR.
  • Devise ways to provide mechanisms that reflect the needs of shippers and the transport sector.

Examples of improvements you can make right now

1) Review the designation of excess inventory to be returned to Tokyo and encourage the return of insufficient inventory to Yokohama.

☆Needs of the transportation sector:
1) Tokyo Port is congested, so we would like to return the car in Yokohama.

②The import location after the return is in Yokohama, so I would like to return it in Yokohama.

3) Yokohama is the closer return location.

2) Due to lack of information, the ship was returned to Tokyo Port, passing through the Sendai Port area where there was a shortage of stock.

☆Needs in the transportation sector:
1) If it is possible to return to Sendai Port, it will be possible to handle import cargo from Sendai.

② If we can return it to Sendai Port, the head will be free to start the next job.
③ In order to save time, we would like to avoid the long distance to Keihin if possible.

3) The uniform designation for the return of excess inventory to Tokyo will be reviewed, and the possibility of returning it to ICD (inland depot) will be suggested.

☆Needs of the transportation sector:
1) Tokyo Port is congested, so we would like to return the goods at an ICD (inland depot).

② After the return, you can start picking up the product.
　*The possibility of transporting ICD with the product depends on the freight rate.

3) It will also create the possibility for drivers to operate on a regular schedule.

☆Shipper’s circumstances:

① Freight rates for container round-trip use can be expected. ②
Logistics inventory can be adjusted by transporting to an ICD.

3) We would also like to consider using it for emergency response and domestic transportation.

QR codes stimulate communication

Shipping companies will write “normal return destination or QR code” in the return destination column of the EIR (Equipment Interchange Receipt), and will create a system where drivers can easily apply for their preferred return location. This will improve the efficiency of the entire logistics network and create new competitiveness.

Example of QR code on EIR

① In the container return destination section of the EIR, write “Normal return destination or QR code.”
Example: Oi 00 or QR
② Go to the shipping company’s website and apply for the desired return location.

Implementation Procedure

①Click on the QR code on the EIR.
②Click on the shipping company that owns the container from the list on the website.

③ Find the desired return location on the shipping company’s website and click on it
④ Follow the instructions of the contact displayed to return the item

　*Conditions for return: Check free time, damage, and lease container restrictions

Example of a site for changing empty container return destination: Selection of shipping company

Please click on the shipping company name in the list below.Select the desired return location from the shipping company’s website.

OOCL

ONE

CEC

MSC

WHL

EMC

COSCO

SITC

*The return location is basically the container shortage point.*Normal conditions: Container without damage, other conditions depend on the shipping company’s regulations.

Example of description on shipping company website:

Empty shipping containers can be returned at the container shortage locations listed below.

1) Hokkaido, Tohoku, Hokuriku area Sendai　　Port: 40ft HC　　Niigata East Port: 20ft

2) Kanto and Chubu　　area Hitachinaka Port: 40ft HC　　Chiba Port: 20ft　　Bando Depot: 40ft HC　　Sano Inland Port: 40ft HC

3) Kinki Kansai area　　Kobe Port: 20ft, 40ft HC

*Conditions for acceptance: No damage, no lease ban specified

Please write the return location on the margin of your EIR and send it to us by fax or with an image attached.

FAX：03-1111-1111

Email with image attachment: empty.return＠○○.comTelephone inquiries: 03-2222-2222

NPO ESCOT

e.mail：ser.kashiwa@gmail.com
mobil：+81-80-4365-0861

fax:+81-471-66-4128
https://www.npo-escot.org