Merged Report:

Overview:

The initial part of the trip took place at Adama, Indode, and Modjo freight yards and stations. We
attempt to research the factors influencing the loading and unloading process, the current state of
the process for each freight yard, and their recommendations for future action during this
process. We also try to assess the connection between freight yards and station duties with OCC.

Adama Station, strategically located near the city, specializes in bulk cargo shipments with a vast
warehousing space capable of accommodating up to 4 train sets. Labor availability is abundant,
facilitating the unloading of one train set within 1.5 days through a three-shift system. However,
challenges such as last-mile logistics, night shift safety, limited locomotive availability, concerns
regarding safety materials, and external factors like war and adverse weather conditions
significantly impact operations. Additionally, the station faces operational hurdles due to a
damaged floor. Modjo Station operates exclusively for container loading, primarily supporting
export activities and serving as a crucial component of the Modjo dry port. While its strategic
location offers convenience for Modjo Dry Port operations, communication challenges with
Ethiopian Customs Authority and delays in essential document provision by clients hamper
efficiency. Indode Station, managing both bulk cargo and container loading and unloading
operations, experiences activity levels surpassing other stations. Despite its pivotal role in the
logistics network, infrastructure challenges such as floor drainage issues, communication
problems, power backup shortages, locomotive delays, safety concerns, and last-mile delivery
difficulties persist.

Challenges:

 Last Mile Logistics: All stations face delays due to challenges in last-mile transport,
hindering efficient cargo delivery to final destinations.
 Contract Time: Adama and Indode highlight prolonged unloading times caused by
contractual agreements that grant excessive freedom to clients, resulting in operational
inefficiencies.
  Locomotive Availability: Adama and Indode suffer from limited locomotive availability,
leading to waiting times and disruptions in operations.
 Safety Materials: Adama, Indode, and Modjo express concerns regarding the availability
and usage of safety materials, compromising worker safety and operational efficiency.
 External Factors: Adama warns of unpredictable impacts from war and adverse weather
conditions on operations, while Indode specifically notes the risks posed by adverse weather
conditions.
 Damaged Infrastructure: Indode and Adama report challenges stemming from damaged
infrastructure, including floor drainage issues and ground cracking, affecting loading and
unloading processes.
 Communication Issues: Indode and Adama struggle with communication problems,
including inadequate communication tools, poor WiFi connectivity, and a lack of walkie-
talkies, hampering effective coordination among staff members.
 Power Backup: Indode mentions the absence of a backup generator, exacerbating
operational challenges during power outages and impacting essential tasks such as email
communication and marshaling sequence management.
 Document Delays: Modjo and Adama encounter delays due to documentation issues,
disrupting the smooth flow of operations.
 Container Lock Problems: Modjo faces challenges related to container locks, affecting the
loading and unloading processes.

Recommendations:

 Minimize Contract Time: Adama suggests reviewing and minimizing contractual unloading
times to enhance operational efficiency.
 Marketing Efforts: Adama advises leveraging its high loading capacity to attract more
customers, particularly in bulk export markets, to optimize utilization.
 Improve Last-Mile Logistics: All stations recommend coordinating with transport providers
to promptly address last-mile transport issues, ensuring timely cargo delivery.
 Enhance Safety Measures: Adama, Indode, and Modjo emphasize the importance of
investing in safety equipment and training to mitigate risks and ensure worker safety.
 Locomotive Management: Adama and Indode propose exploring options to increase
locomotive availability or streamline scheduling to minimize disruptions.
 Contingency Planning: Adama suggests developing contingency plans to mitigate the impact
of external factors like war and adverse weather on operations, ensuring resilience.
 Repair Infrastructure: Indode and Adama recommend allocating resources to repair damaged
infrastructure, such as floor drainage issues, to improve operational efficiency and safety.
 Improve Communication: Indode and Adama stress the need to address communication
challenges by improving communication tools and connectivity to enhance coordination
among staff members.
 Address Power Backup: Indode suggests investing in a backup generator to mitigate
operational disruptions during power outages, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
 Streamline Documentation: Modjo and Adama propose streamlining documentation
processes to expedite operations and reduce delays caused by document-related issues.
 Resolve Container Lock Issues: Modjo recommends addressing container lock problems to
streamline the container loading and unloading processes, optimizing efficiency.