Digital Solutions for Multimodality in the China-Europe Route

Abstract

The field of logistics operations, including multimodal transport in the China-Europe direction, is facing, on the one hand, an increase in freight traffic and, on the other hand, various crisis factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Under these circumstances, the digitalization of freight transport is becoming increasingly important. It is digital solutions that can provide the calculation of optimal parameters for logistics operations. The article reviews the state of affairs in the sphere of multimodal transportation in China-Europe direction and reveals the directions of digitalization development to improve the speed, quality, safety and transparency of transportation. The purpose of the study is to identify problems in multimodal transport in the direction of China-Europe, which require greater use of digital solutions, and to propose ways to solve them. The research methodology is the case study methodology. As a result of the study, the key digital technologies in the area under consideration are identified, the ongoing and planned projects are considered, and the existing problems, including those requiring greater use of digital solutions, are formulated. The practical significance of the study is related to the fact that the importance of transportation on the route China-Europe is growing. With the growth of cargo traffic, a number of identified problems are intensifying. The deepening of digitalization and the possible optimization of cargo flow, logistics, and document flow on this basis can significantly improve the economic efficiency of all participants in the supply chain. The novelty of the study is due to the fact that there is a high degree of variability in the area in question, related, among other things, to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the political sphere on a global scale.