MODULUSHCA - Modular Logistics Units in Shared Co-modal Networks

The way physical objects are transported, handled, stored and offered worldwide still offers much room for improvement from the point of view of economic, ecological as well as social sustainability.

In the Modulushca project, the Chair of Logistics at TU Berlin is working in an international consortium with partners from Europe, North America and the "Physical Internet Initiative" to contribute to the development of a closely interconnected logistics network at European level, modelled on the Internet.

The goal is to develop standardised modular container units for (co-)modal material flows of the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market on an operational level. These units should support the realisation of a networked logistics system to significantly increase operational efficiency.

Within Modulushca, the focus is on five fields of activity

1. Developing the vision of a closely interconnected logistics network for the requirements of the FMCG market,
2. Development of interchangeable and combinable (ISO) modular container units with the property for (container) block formation,
3. Establishment of digital networking of these units,
4. Development of a platform for networked logistics processes with the aim of reducing costs and CO2 emissions, and
5. Demonstration of two implementation pilots for networked solutions.

For the requirements within the Modulushca project, the following should be

• a closed pilot for evaluating the cross-site use of handling and transport of a company's (ISO) modular logistics units, and
• an open network pilot for evaluating the impact of cross-docking and handling processes of (ISO) modular logistics units

developed.

At the end of the project, there will be a roadmap for a holistic networked logistics system for the year 2030 that integrates the needs of digital, physical and operational networking of market players and infrastructures of the FMCG market.