Assessing the Economical Efficiency of Intermodal Chains in Global Trade

¹ Transport Engineering and Economics Faculty, Maritime University of Szczecin, Waly Chrobrego 1-2, 70-500 Szczecin, Poland
² Faculty of Management and Economics of Services, University of Szczecin, Cukrowa 8, 70-001 Szczecin, Poland

^* Corresponding author: b.wisnicki@am.szczecin.pl

Abstract

The paper relates to the development of intermodal technologies used in international trade, together with factors which will influence that development at present and in the future. The aim of the paper is to assess impact of the integration of intermodal chains on logistics costs and thus on global trade. The special emphasize is laid on the problem of the diversity of standards of containers and transport technology in different parts of the world. This research is based on the available statistical data and information obtained from leading logistics operators. The authors conducted comparative analysis of the economic efficiency of usage of different sizes of cargo units, both standard and non-standard, relating to representative intermodal chain between the USA and Europe. In order to assess different scenarios a model was elaborated for calculating the total costs of such a chain, and transport efficiency analysis with the use of this model were conducted. The results of research presented in the paper confirm that integration of intermodal chains thanks to standardization of loading units in a global scale could be profitable. The results of logistics cost analysis prove measurable benefits for logistics operators and as well as their customers.