甘肃羊肉发成都要在南京“打一头” 诡异快递路线背后 枢纽城市之争暗流涌动

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the perplexing logistics route taken by a package of lamb from Gansu to Chengdu, which first traveled to Nanjing before reaching its final destination, raising questions about the efficiency and rationale behind such routing in modern logistics [1][2][3]. Group 1: Logistics Operations - The package's journey involved a total distance of over 2900 kilometers, despite the direct distance being only 600 kilometers [1][2]. - The logistics route followed a "Y" shape, indicating a non-linear path that confuses consumers regarding the efficiency of modern logistics systems [2][3]. - The response from logistics companies indicates that this routing is a standard operational procedure, not an error [4]. Group 2: Industry Practices - Many logistics companies, including EMS and SF Express, utilize a hub-and-spoke model, where packages are first sent to a central hub (Nanjing in this case) for sorting before being dispatched to their final destinations [5][8]. - The choice of Nanjing as a central hub dates back to a 2006 agreement, establishing it as a key logistics center in China [5][10]. - This routing strategy is not unique to China Post; other companies like SF Express also employ similar methods for efficiency and cost-effectiveness [5][7]. Group 3: Economic Considerations - The "detour" in logistics is explained as a calculated decision to achieve economies of scale, reducing costs while maintaining service efficiency [8][9]. - The logistics industry operates on a model where the concentration of packages at a hub allows for lower average shipping costs, as demonstrated by the cost comparison of shipping single versus multiple packages [9][10]. - The hub-and-spoke model significantly reduces the number of required direct flight routes, optimizing logistics operations [9][10]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The article suggests that future logistics systems should aim for a more interconnected network to minimize unnecessary detours while balancing cost and efficiency [13]. - The integration of national logistics frameworks with corporate logistics strategies is essential for enhancing operational efficiency [12][13]. - The ultimate goal is to create a smarter logistics system that can dynamically optimize routes based on data, rather than relying on fixed hub-and-spoke models [13][14].