Evaluation of green transport corridors of Brazilian soybean exports to China

Abstract

Goal: To evaluate the potential of strategies to promote green corridors of soybean exports from Brazil to China. Design / Methodology / Approach: The best transportation corridors are evaluated in terms of minimum transportation cost and minimum CO2 emissions in transport. This problem was modelled as a linear programming problem and was solved by GAMS. It involves transporting soybeans from the producing farms in the Brazilian Center-West to the main Brazilian export ports and, subsequently, to China, through the various logistical infrastructures available. Results: In general, strategies aimed to reduce CO2 emissions in the Brazilian soybean exports to China, and also promote the reduction of transport costs, as presented in the results of the different scenarios. Since the greatest impact on both indicators came from the use of Capesize ships, the study suggests that investments in port infrastructure to increase its vessel berthing capacity generate positive impacts, both in terms of lower transportation costs and CO2 emissions. Limitations of the investigation: The producing regions were divided in mesoregions. The road distance considered is between the centroid of the producing region to the destination. Practical implications: Especially in the scenarios of unrestricted transport infrastructure, the study suggests the configuration of optimum soybean flows, as well as the respective level of utilization of multimodal terminals. From the findings of the study, agents involved in the logistics of exporting soy to China can identify the investments in rail and port terminals necessary to a greener logistics. Originality / Value: This work will contribute to the literature in the Green Supply Chain Management field of study, especially in a Brazilian perspective.

Keywords

• Mathematical model
• Maritime transport
• Soybean
• Green corridors
• CO2 emissions from transport