Financial analysis of the transport of wood chips as an option among other solid fiberbased combustibles from the USA to Germany

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• ABSTRACT
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• LIST OF TABLES
• LIST OF FIGURES
• LIST OF ACRONYMS
• INTRODUCTION
  • Justification
  • Demand in Europe
  • Demand in Germany
  • Research question
  • Hypothesis
  • Model
  • Structural Preview
• LITERATURE REVIEW
  • Supply of Timber based Biomass
    • Resources
    • Wood Chips
    • Pelletized Wood
    • Torrefied Woody Biomass
  • Transatlantic Shipment of Fiber based Fuel
    • Charter Party (C/P)
    • Port of Loading
    • Harbor Disbursements
    • Carrier
    • Bunker
    • Port of Discharge
    • Customs
    • European Hinterland Transport
    • Hinterland Connection
    • Barge Details
    • Transport Costs
• METHODOLOGY
  • Transatlantic Transport
  • Hinterland Transport
  • Combined Transport
• RESULTS
  • Transatlantic Transport
  • Combined Transport
  • Profit Margin
  • Net Present Value
• DISCUSSION
  • Trade Implications
  • Market Implications
  • Outlook

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis analyzes the profitability of US American exports of woody biomass to Germany. The study investigates factors influencing the profitability of transporting wood chips and wood pellets from the USA to Germany, considering various transportation modes, market conditions, and logistical aspects.

• Economic feasibility of transporting wood chips and wood pellets from the USA to Germany
• Influence of transportation costs and logistics on profitability
• Impact of market conditions, including fuel prices and exchange rates, on profitability
• Comparison of different transportation modes, including transatlantic shipping and hinterland transport
• Analysis of various logistical factors, such as charter conditions, harbor infrastructure, and trade terms

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction provides background information on the increasing demand for wood chips and wood pellets in Europe, particularly in Germany, as part of a new energy policy aiming to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources. It also presents the research question and hypothesis. The literature review explores the supply of timber-based biomass, including wood chips, pelletized wood, and torrefied woody biomass. It further examines the process of transatlantic shipment of fiber-based fuel, focusing on charter parties, port operations, transportation costs, and hinterland transport. The methodology section outlines the approach taken to analyze the profitability of transporting wood chips and wood pellets from the USA to Germany. This involves analyzing various transportation modes, market conditions, and logistical aspects. The results section presents the findings of the analysis, including profit margins and net present values for different transportation scenarios. It also provides a detailed analysis of transatlantic transport and combined transport costs. The discussion section examines the implications of the findings for trade and market dynamics. It discusses the future outlook for the export of woody biomass from the USA to Germany, considering potential market trends and challenges.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis focuses on the financial analysis of wood chip and wood pellet transport from the USA to Germany, considering key factors such as market demand, energy policy, transport costs, logistics, and profitability. The work also explores the implications of various trade terms, harbor infrastructure, and the influence of market conditions on the overall feasibility of this trade route.