LO1: Understand key concepts and issues in logistics.
Unit 1 J/618/1227 - Logistics Management
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Centre Name |
Inspire London College |
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Qualification |
OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management |
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Unit number and title |
J/618/1227 - Logistics Management |
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Learner Name |
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Submission Date |
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Assignment title |
Logistics Management |
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The unit focusses on the strategic, value adding role of logistics in supply networks. It aims to impart learners with a thorough understanding of key theoretical and operational aspects of managing logistics, specifically transportation, storage/warehousing and packaging. The related considerations for business competitiveness and operational efficiency is emphasised as is the interdependency between operational, technological, and regulatory aspects. |
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Learning Outcomes On completion of this assignment learners should: LO1: Understand key concepts and issues in logistics. LO2: Understand the different modes of transport and their underlying operational and economic characteristics. LO3: Understand the regulatory aspects and procedures and practices with international processes. LO4: Understand strategic and operational aspects of warehouse management. |
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Word Count: |
Approximately 4,500 words. |
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Styling Guideline: |
Please Strictly Follow these formatting guidelines to avoid assignment rejection. |
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Font Style: |
Calibri (Body) |
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Font Size: |
11 |
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Heading: |
13 (Bold) |
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Subheading: |
12 (Bold) |
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Bullets |
Use Consistent Bullet Style |
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Document type: |
Word Document (.docx) |
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Assessment criteria to be assessed in this assignment |
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Pass |
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Helping Notes are present in the Assignment worksheet that will aid you with your assignment. Moreover, you can summon tutor support. |
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Task 1
The above discussion will help you to achieve following Assessment Criteria: 1.1 Analyse current issues in logistics and their relevance and effects on organisations. 1.2 Evaluate the benefits of having an effective logistics management system in an organisation. |
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Task 2
The above discussion will help you to achieve following Assessment Criteria: 2.1 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the different modes of transportation. 2.2 Critically analyse the underlying operations and cost of the different modes of transportation. 2.3 Discuss factors affecting the selection of specified modes/s of transport in an organisation. 2.4 Explain the infrastructure/facilities associated with each of the transport modes. |
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Task 3
The above discussion will help you to achieve following Assessment Criteria: 3.1 Critically evaluate export and import regulations including customs procedures and tariffs in the import and export of goods. 3.2 Analyse how tariffs and duties affect the prices of imported/exported goods. |
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Task 4
The above discussion will help you to achieve following Assessment Criteria: 4.1 Evaluate strategic aspects incl. Warehouse location, capacity, design/layout, storage racks selection and extent of automation (in relation to material handling equipment) 4.2 Analyse operational issues in receiving, order picking, storage, and despatch incl. Relevance of technological solutions. 4.3 Explain the multi-level product packaging choices and their relevance to efficient warehousing and transportation. |
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Suggested Resources
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Guidelines for completion and Submission |
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Plagiarism and Collusion In submitting the assignment Learner’s must complete a statement of authenticity confirming that the work submitted for all tasks is their own. The statement should also include the word count. ILC recommends the following to check plagiarism/similarity. https://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism-checker https://www.scanmyessay.com Learners are required to attach the similarity report in submission slot or email to tutor. Plagiarism and collusion are treated very seriously. Plagiarism involves presenting work, excerpts, ideas or passages of another author without appropriate referencing and attribution. Collusion occurs when two or more learners submit work which is so alike in ideas, content, wording and/or structure that the similarity goes beyond what might have been mere coincidence Referencing A professional approach to work is expected from all learners. Learners must therefore identify and acknowledge ALL sources/methodologies/applications used. The learner must use Harvard Referencing system to achieve this. Marks are not awarded for the use of English; however, the learner must express ideas clearly and ensure that appropriate terminology is used to convey accuracy in meaning. Appendices You may include appendices to support your work, however appendices must only contain additional supporting information, and must be clearly referenced in your assignment. You may also include tables, graphs, diagrams, Gantt chart and flowcharts that support the main report should be incorporated into the end of the assignment report that is submitted. Any published secondary information such as annual reports and company literature, should be referenced in the main text of the assignment, in accordance of Harvard Style Referencing, and referenced at the end of the assignment. Word Count Policy Learners must comply with the required word count, within a margin of ±10%. These rules exclude the index, headings, tables, images, footnotes, appendices and information contained within references and bibliographies. When an assessment task requires learners to produce presentation slides with supporting notes, the word count applies to the supporting notes only. Submission of Assignments |
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All work to be submitted on the due date. All work must be submitted in a single electronic document (.docx file). Key Terminologies |
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Describe |
To describe means to create a picture with words but not simply writing a list of bullet points. |
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Explain |
To explain something, you will need to provide a clear account of your understanding, including details like why and how. |
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Analyse |
To analyse something, you consider it carefully and in detail in order to understand or explain it. To analyse, identify the main parts or ideas of a subject and examine or interpret the connections between them. |
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Evaluate |
To evaluate, decide on your subject’s significance, value, or quality after carefully studying its good and bad features. Use authoritative (eg, from established authors or theorists in the field) and, to some extent, personal appraisal of both contributions and limitations of the subject. Similar to assess. |
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Discuss |
To discuss in an essay, consider your subject from different points of view. Examine, analyse and present considerations for and against the problem or statement. |
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Critically |
Often used in conjunction with other directive words, such as critically discuss, critically examine or critically analyse. It does not mean criticise. It is asking you to give a balanced answer that points out mistakes or weaknesses and any favourable aspects of the subject of the question. The decision or overall judgment you make must be supported with evidence from reliable sources. |
About Unit 1 J/618/1227 – Logistics Management
Unit 1 J/618/1227 – Logistics Management focuses on the way modern organisations design and manage their logistics systems to create both efficiency and competitive strength. Rather than treating logistics as simply the movement of goods, this unit looks closely at how transportation choices, warehousing layouts, and packaging standards interact with cost control, service quality, and global regulations. For example, learners examine why an organisation might choose rail or sea freight over air, not only for financial reasons but also due to sustainability targets and customs procedures. Unit 1 also explores the operational pressures of managing warehouses, from inventory accuracy to automation, and considers how packaging decisions can influence customer perception as well as compliance with international trade rules. By linking these areas, the unit highlights the role of logistics as a strategic function that can either strengthen or weaken an organisation’s supply chain performance.
Sample Answer
Introduction
This assignment examines the strategic, value‑adding role of logistics across supply networks and analyses the operational realities that make logistics a decisive source of competitiveness. The discussion is organised around four tasks aligned to the unit learning outcomes. It blends current issues (e.g., Red Sea disruptions, customs reforms, decarbonisation rules), core theory, and practical methods used by managers to design and run transportation, warehousing and packaging for reliable, efficient and compliant flows. Realistic examples are included to translate concepts into actions in a UK context.
Task 1 – Current issues in logistics and the benefits of effective logistics management
1.1 Current issues in logistics: relevance and effects on organisations
- Geopolitical route risk and schedule reliability: Continued attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have forced many carriers to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope. This extends transit times by 10–14 days on Asia–Europe trades, heightens insurance premiums, and complicates inventory planning for retailers and manufacturers (AP News, 2025; Xeneta, 2025).
- Canal capacity shocks and recovery: After severe 2023 drought‑related restrictions, the Panama Canal has gradually recovered throughput during FY2025, yet water‑resource risks remain on the strategic agenda. This volatility affects East Coast US/Europe routing choices, vessel strings, and schedule buffers (Seatrade Maritime, 2025; Reuters, 2025).
- Decarbonisation regulation and cost pass‑through: Maritime emissions now fall within the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) with surrender of allowances beginning in 2025 (for 2024 emissions) and rising coverage through 2027. Shipowners pass carbon costs into base rates and surcharges, altering network economics and encouraging slow steaming and fleet optimisation (European Commission, 2025; ICAP, 2025).
- Customs and security digitisation: The EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Release 3 goes fully live in 2025 for all modes, requiring richer pre‑arrival data and earlier risk screening. UK importers/exporters continue to adapt to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) and the post‑Brexit Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), influencing lead times, broker processes and data quality responsibilities (European Commission, 2024–2025; HMRC/GOV.UK, 2025).
- Producer responsibility and packaging cost inflation: UK Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging shifts full net costs of household packaging waste to producers. Fee signals and recyclability assessments influence packaging design choices, material selection and supplier specifications, with potential price effects (Defra, 2025).
