Logistics and Freight Transport Industry Sustainability and Supply Chain Disruption: Assessment Task

Question 1: Decarbonization Methods for Freight Transport

Assessment Task
You are required to select one of the two questions below and write your 4,000 words individual report on the selected topic. 

Question 1 (100 marks)
The logistics and freight transport industry has been transforming into a more sustainable and greener one. Several decarbonisation methods exist in the industry. Switching to greener energy sources and shifting cargo from road to more environmentally friendly transport modes are two of de-carbonisation methods.

a) Select a freight transport mode and critically discuss effectiveness of greener energy sources (natural gases, biofuels, electric options) by evaluating advantages and disadvantages of them. Consider well-to-wheel emissions of evaluated energies (50 points).

b) Critically discuss the challenges of shifting cargo from road transport to short sea and rail freight transportation by evaluating advantages and disadvantages of these modes (50 points).

Question 2 (100 marks)
Supply chains in the UK have been disrupted by several events such as Brexit, COVID-19, lorry driver shortage, extreme port congestions, skyrocketing container freight rates, and empty container issues. Supply chains are re-evaluating their logistics and supply chain design to adopt to these disruptions and stay resilient.

a) Critically discuss how supply chains can design their strategies in core logistics functions (inventory management, freight transportation, warehousing, and procurement) by considering the trade-off between these  and the impact on level of customer service? (50 points)

b) Critically discuss how would digitalization and automation would help supply chains achieve resiliency (50 points). 

Task specific guidance:
• Your report should be 4,000 words in length, excluding references.
• Avoid description of the content of material referred to – critical evaluation is required where specified.
• Read widely from textbooks, journals and authoritative commentaries in forming your views.
• Pay close attention to the Assessment Criteria at the end of this document – this lists general assessment criteria and specific criteria to the
requirements of this assignment. These criteria will be used to inform your electronic feedback on your marked assignment

General study guidance:
• Cite all information used in your work which is clearly from a source. Try to ensure that all sources in your reference list are seen as citations in your work, and all names cited in the work appear in your reference list.

• Reference and cite your work in accordance with the APA 7th system – the University’s chosen referencing style. For specific advice, you can talk to your Business librarians or go to the library help desk, or you can access library guidance.

• The University has regulations relating to academic misconduct, including plagiarism. The Learning Innovation and Development Centre can advise and help you with how to avoid ‘poor scholarship’ and potential academic misconduct.

• If you have any concerns about your writing, referencing, research or presentation skills, you are welcome to consult the Learning Innovation
Development Centre team .It is possible to arrange 1:1 consultation with a LIDC tutor once you have planned or written a section of your work, so that they can advise you on areas to develop.

• Do not exceed the word limit / other limit. 

Assessment criteria
• The Assessment Criteria are shown the end of this document. Your tutor will discuss how your work will be assessed/marked and will explain how the assessment criteria apply to this piece of work. These criteria have been designed for your level of study. 

• These criteria will be used to mark your work and will be used to support the electronic feedback you receive on your marked assignment. Before submission, check that you have tried to meet the requirements of the higher-grade bands to the best of your ability. Please note that the marking process involves academic judgement and interpretation within the marking criteria.

• The Learning Innovation Development Centre can help you to understand and use the assessment criteria. To book an appointment, either visit them on The Street in the Charles Sikes Building or email them on .

Learning Outcomes
This section is for information only.
The assessment task outlined above has been designed to address specific validated learning outcomes for this module. It is useful to keep in mind that these are the things you need to show in this piece of work.

1. Demonstrate a conceptual and critical understanding of logistics and freight transport management in the context of global businesses.

2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of techniques and approaches used in logistics and freight transport management

3. Critically evaluate methods and practices used by logistics and freight transport companies

4. Propose solutions to warehousing, inventory and transport proplems for effective and efficient logistics management.

5. Analyse and communicate complex logistics and freight transport management issues using appropriate techniques.

Please note these learning outcomes are not additional questions.