Prerequisites for the modelling of empty container supply chains

Containerisation of freight transport significantly facilitates the flow of traded goods between remote destinations. The most important container transport routes link Asia with North America and Europe. The seasonality and imbalance of trade are the main factors giving rise to problems related to empty container repositioning. The aim of this paper is to develop a concept of empty container supply chains and formulate prerequisites for its modelling in the search for the optimal solution with the help of linear programming and mixed integer programming methods. This paper indicates causes of the empty container relocation problem based on the literature analysis with a special focus on the Eurasian transportation route. Also, it provides a concept of empty container supply chain, prerequisites for its modelling and examples of container supply chains modelling presented in the literature. The main results of the paper include conceptualisation of an empty container supply chain and suggested modelling prerequisites. The paper contributes to research in the field of supply chain management and optimisation of transportation.