TRA825 Sustainability in Freight Transport Chains (Spring 2025)

This module focuses on intercontinental and intra-continental transports, with a main emphasis on international trade flows and the role played by sea, rail and road transports. The relationship between the modes both take on a form of competition and co-operation. Both perspectives are covered. The comparative picture between transport modes is not only analyzed from a market perspective, but also from a socio-economic perspective, with main emphasis on environmental sustainability. Comparative emission calculations of transport modes are central in this setting. The markets for dry bulk, wet bulk, containers and wheeled cargo are all analyzed. The course will also cover different market requirements and developments with respect to technical and organizational solutions. International trade and transport policies, with main emphasis on sustainable development goals and their relevancy for the transport sector. Factors influencing the balance between supply and demand, and freight rate fluctuations will be discussed, with particular focus on volatile markets for maritime transport and how this affects international supply chains.

None beyond entry requirements for MSc Logistics.

Knowledge:

• Students have obtained a good overview of international freight markets of all modes of transport, with main focus on seaborne trade, and the markets for new and second-hand tonnage, including the market for demolition of vessels.
• Students have obtained a thorough knowledge about the global and regional regulatory regime with respect to environmental performance and trade, with main focus on EU and UN regulations.

​Skills:

• Students will be able to search for relevant academic literature through the use of portals like Google Scholar.

General competences:

• Students have improved their critical thinking abilities.
• Students have enhanced their academic writing abilities related to the writing of an academic paper.

Lectures, seminars and a tutored essay-writing process.

• Form of assessment: Essay with oral presentation
• Proportion: 30%
• Duration: 10 Weeks
• Grouping: Group
• Grading scale: Letter (A - F)
• Support material: All supporting material

• Form of assessment: Closed book written school exam
• Proportion: 70%
• Duration: 4 Hours
• Grouping: Individual
• Grading scale: Letter (A - F)
• Support material: General dictionary in mother tongue/Norwegian/English in paper version + Calculator with empty memory