This document discusses the implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and the Electronic Product Code Information Service (EPCIS) framework to uniquely identify trailers at DFDS Seaways. RFID and EPCIS can improve logistics operations related to identifying, inspecting, registering, picking, loading, unloading, storing and distributing trailers. The study examines suitable RFID technologies, locations for RFID tags on trailers and in ports, and potential business benefits like more efficient operations and reduced errors. The results provide insight into implementing RFID and EPCIS for trailer handling within ports from a managerial perspective.

1. Abstract
Implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-technology has received increased
industrial interest during the last three decades. This is because utilisation of RFID is related
to opportunities to increase logistical efficiency (in terms of reduced time and costs) in
logistics operations, reduce risk of theft, control goods-characteristics (temperature,
humidity), and in tracking and tracing of goods to ensure and preserve the safety and quality
of goods in supply chains. In addition, previous studies in the area present logistics benefits in
implementing the Electronic Product Code Information Service framework. This report
focuses on potential impacts on logistics operations and opportunities in implementation of
RFID technology and the EPCIS-framework to ensure unique identification of trailers at
DFDS Seaways. The purpose is to investigate how RFID and EPCIS can be used for handling
of trailers in port-areas. The report presents findings from literature reviews and a case study
that investigated four research questions. The first question embraces potential logistics
operations affected by implementation of EPCIS framework. The second question explores
RFID-technology, suitable for unique identification of trailers in the two harbours Rotterdam
and Immingham. The third question concerns the potential physical location of RFID
technology on trailers and in the two port-areas. Finally, the fourth question explores potential
business benefits in implementing a RFID-based identification system of trailers at DFDS
terminals in Rotterdam and Immingham.
The results show that logistics operations of identification, inspection, registering, picking,
loading, un-loading, storage, and distribution of trailers are affected by implementation of the
EPCIS framework, which is important for DFDS in management of trailers. RFID-tags
suitable in identification of trailers are either passive or active. Similarly, the variety of RFID-
readers ranges from hand-held RFID-scanners to RFID-portals. The choice of RFID-
technology should be based on the use of communication standards, presence of metal, and
costs. The results show several potential physical locations on trailers, tugmasters, and in the
Rotterdam and Immingham port-areas to place RFID-technology. Business benefits of
implementing a RFID based identification system in Rotterdam and Immingham can be
drawn from more effective logistics operations and reducing errors and problems occuring
such as forbidden parking of trailers, language problems, service in self-service files,
inspection and labelling of trailers. The report also examines the knowledge about RFID-
technology among employees working with handling of trailers in the two ports Rotterdam
and Immingham. The results presented contribute to the understanding of implementation of
RFID-technology and the EPCIS-framework in handling of trailers within port-areas from a
managerial point of view. This is useful for DFDS as well as for academia, since it shows that
RFID-based and standardised solutions should be prioritised to influence future setups and
theoretical development of the logistics research area.
Keywords: RFID-technology, logistics operations, ports, EPCIS, literature study, case
study