The arid conditions found in the west allow for the production of high quality hay for export. However, hay production in this region is highly dependent upon irrigation. There is significant interest in developing a hay export market in the eastern U.S. Therefore, a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities with containerizing hay in high humidity environments is needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of hay preservatives on the stability of containerized hay. Treatments included 1) propionic acid at baling, 2) propiopnic acid at baling + surface applied propionic acid at container loading, 3) propionic acid at baling + ammonization of the container after loading, and 4) no preservatives. Propionic acid was applied at a rate of 2.5 kg Mg-1 of hay at baling to all treatments except the control. Hay was then stored for 5 weeks before compressing to a density of 320.0 kg m-3. Immediately before containerizing hay, treatment 2 received a surface application of propionic acid at a rate of 3.4 g bale-1. After loading hay into containers, treatment 3 was ammoniated at a rate of 1.5 kg NH3 Mg-1 DM. Temperature and relative humidity in the containers were monitored for the 45-day storage period. Hay was sampled at compression and immediately after opening the containers. There were no treatment effects on nutritive value parameters after containerization (P > 0.05). Neither propionic acid at harvest, nor treatments at containerization had an effect on mold development in this study (P > 0.05). / Master of Science / Hay exports from the western U.S. have more than doubled since 2000. The arid conditions found in the west allow for the production of high quality hay for export. However, hay production in this region is highly dependent upon irrigation. There is significant interest in developing a hay export market in the humid east. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of two hay preservatives on the stability of containerized hay. Treatments included 1) propionic acid at baling, 2) propionic acid at baling + surface applied propionic acid at container loading, 3) propionic acid at baling + ammoniaization of the container after loading, and 4) no preservatives. Propionic acid was applied at a rate of 2.5 kg Mg⁻¹ of hay at baling to Treatments 1, 2, and 3. Hay was then stored for 5 weeks before double compressing. After compression, bales were placed into containers with treatment 2 receiving a surface application of propionic acid at a rate of 3.4 g bale⁻¹ . Treatment 3 was ammoniated in the container after loading at a rate of 1.5 kg NH₃ Mg⁻¹ DM. Temperature and relative humidity in the containers were monitored for the 45 day storage period. Hay was sampled prior to compression, at compression, and immediately after opening the containers. Samples were analyzed for neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and crude protein. Subsamples were collected and sent for mold analysis. Results suggest that no treatments are needed in order to export quality alfalfa hay from the Mid-Atlantic.

by Chung Wai Yin, Jessie. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.v / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.viii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.ix / Chapter CHAPTER I --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- History of the Hong Kong Container Port X / Chapter 1.2 --- Present Operations in the Port --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Future Expansion --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Regional and Local Competition --- p.8 / Chapter CHAPTER II --- RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1 --- Background and Overview --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2 --- Research Objectives --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3 --- The Belief --- p.16 / Chapter 2.4 --- Significance of the Research --- p.18 / Chapter 2.5 --- Research Methodology --- p.18 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Personal Interviews --- p.19 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Literature Survey --- p.20 / Chapter CHAPTER III --- LITERATURE SURVEY --- p.22 / Chapter 3.1 --- Terminal Capacity --- p.22 / Chapter 3.2 --- Huge Rise in Future Throughput --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3 --- Handling Efficiency --- p.25 / Chapter 3.4 --- Tariff --- p.26 / Chapter 3. 5 --- New Threats --- p.27 / Chapter 3.6 --- Consolidated Bibliography --- p.28 / Chapter CHAPTER IV --- PRESENT MARKETING STRATEGIES --- p.30 / Chapter 4.1 --- "Mission, Goals and Objectives" --- p.30 / Chapter 4 .2 --- Strategic Plan --- p.31 / Chapter 4.3 --- Marketing Strategy Review --- p.32 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Service Quality --- p.32 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Tariff Policy --- p.37 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Market Share --- p.39 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Customer Relationship --- p.41 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Other Business Opportunities --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Company Image --- p.45 / Chapter CHAPTER V --- SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL FINDINGS --- p.46 / Chapter 5.1 --- Research Results and Analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 5.2 --- Marketing Objectives --- p.47 / Chapter 5.3 --- Maintain Existing Customers and Marketing Share --- p.50 / Chapter 5.4 --- Evaluate Existing customer Base --- p.51 / Chapter 5.5 --- Increase Yard Capacity --- p.52 / Chapter 5.6 --- information Technology --- p.54 / Chapter 5 .7 --- Competitive Pricing --- p.56 / Chapter 5.8 --- Cost Strategy --- p.58 / Chapter CHAPTER VI --- CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS --- p.59 / Chapter 6.1 --- Control --- p.59 / Chapter 6.2 --- Uncertainties --- p.60 / APPENDICES / Chapter A. --- LIST OF INTERVIEWEES (SHIPPING LINES) --- p.A1 / Chapter B. --- LIST OF INTERVIEWEES (MTL PERSONNEL) --- p.A2 / Chapter C. --- NOTES AND MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS --- p.A3 / GRAPH A HK THROUGHPUT AND GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT --- p.A5 / GRAPH B REGRESSION ANALYSIS ON HK GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND THROUGHPUT --- p.A6 / TABLE A HK GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FORECAST --- p.A7 / TABLE B THROUGHPUT HANDLED IN HONG KONG --- p.A8 / Chapter D. --- PERFORMANCE INDICATORS --- p.A9 / Chapter E. --- CUSTOMER LINES --- p.A10

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Transnet, the entity responsible for port infrastructure and the operating thereof, are faced with the difficult task of ensuring that the port system in South Africa is always ready to cater to all import and export requirements of the country. A major portion of these volumes will enter and leave the country in the form of containerised cargo, which effectively unitises the cargo for easier handling. What makes the task for Transnet that much more difficult, is that volumes are not easily forecasted and when one takes into account that ports need to be looking at least ten years down the line to ensure infrastructure can be put in place in time, it makes the problem that much more difficult. International studies show that trade between India, Europe and South America are growing, which provides South Africa with the opportunity to become a hub port based on the countries central location between these three areas. Currently Durban and the recently opened port of Ngqura are and will be serving as hub ports to cater for these and other volumes, but it is not certain under what conditions there would be a need for an additional hub port, if at all. Through the course of this research report three scenarios of growth are examined in an effort to answer this question. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Transnet, die entiteit verantwoordelik vir hawe-infrastruktuur en die werking daarvan, is met die moeilike taak geplaas om te verseker dat die hawe-stelsel in Suid-Afrika altyd gereed is vir al die invoer en uitvoer vereistes van die land. 'n Groot gedeelte van hierdie vereistes sal die land betree en verlaat in die vorm van houers, wat goedere unitiseer vir makliker hantering. Wat die taak vir Transnet soveel moeiliker maak, is dat die volumes nie maklik geskat kan word nie, en wanneer Transnet ten minste tien jaar in die toekoms moet skat om seker te maak dat die infrastruktuur in plek kan gestel word in tyd, maak dit die probleem soveel moeiliker. Internasionale navorsing dui dat die handel tussen Indië, Europa en Suid-Amerika groei, wat vir Suid-Afrika die geleentheid skep om 'n ‘hub port’ to word wat gebaseer is op die land se sentrale ligging tussen hierdie drie lande. Op die oomblik sal Durban en die onlangs geopende hawe van Ngqura, as ‘hub ports’ funksioneer om voorsiening te maak vir hierdie en ander volumes, maar dit is nie seker onder watter omstandighede sou daar 'n behoefte vir 'n ekstra-hub port wees nie. Deur die loop van hierdie navorsing word verslag gelewer van die drie scenario's, en word hierdie vraag ondersoek in 'n poging om hierdie vraag te beantwoord.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts

This thesis studies the feasibility and methodology of applying state-of-the-art computer technology in scientific workflow modelling, within a collaborative environment. The collaborative environment also indicates that the people involved include non-computer scientists or engineers from other disciplines. The objective of this research is to provide a systematic methodology based on a web environment for the purpose of lowering the barriers brought by the heterogeneous features of multi-institutions, multi-platforms and geographically distributed resources which are implied in the collaborative environment of scientific workflow.

This thesis deals with seaborne transport with emphasis on transport of containerized goods, contract terms and conditions of imports of goods to the European Union. It also describes the current situation of maritime transport on the route the EU - Vietnam. The practical part is focused on the import of goods into the Czech Republic using a freight forwarder services.

This research develops a computer simulation method for federating an Arena© port operations model and a VISSIM© roadway network operations model. The development of this method is inspired by the High Level Architecture (HLA) standard for federating simulations, and incorporates several elements of the HLA principles into its design. The federated simulation model is then tested using a time-lag experiment to demonstrate the presence of feedback loops between federated model components wherein changes to input parameters of one model during runtime can be shown to affect the operational performance of the other model. This experiment also demonstrates how several initial transient phase and steady state operating characteristics of the federated system can be determined from the federation output data. The results indicate that the method developed in this study is capable of capturing the dynamic interaction of two models in federated simulation. It is shown that feedback loops can exist between two models in federated simulation. Most notably, the federation output shows that increased traffic volume in the roadway network model influences the accumulation of containers in the port terminal queue of the port model. The federation output also shows that increased container volume leaving the port terminal model affects both port and road truck utilization, as well as the total number of port trucks in the roadway network model. Challenges and future directions for research in federating transportation-related simulations are also presented.