Evaluating the Impact of COVID-19 on Multimodal Cargo Transport Performance: A Mixed-Method Study in the UAE Context

Abstract

This research is a case study on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), exploring multimodal logistics, which involves transporting cargo using multiple modes of transportation, and investigating its challenges and opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022. Through a mixed-method approach of qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys, this study examines factors influencing multimodal cargo transport and its performance. Five senior executives from the logistics industry were interviewed to identify key variables, and a questionnaire was administered to 120 participants to assess the impact on shipping costs and utilization. This study reveals a significant relationship between geographical and geopolitical risks and increased shipping costs in certain regions, highlighting the need for secure and cost-effective multimodal solutions in these areas. However, shipping costs did not mediate the performance of intermodal transportation at transit hubs during the pandemic. The findings offer valuable insights for transit hubs to enhance the utilization of multimodal cargo transport during uncertain times, ultimately leading to improved logistics performance in similar hub countries. This study’s originality lies in its investigation of the resilience and sustainability dimensions in multimodal logistics during the pandemic, proposing mitigation strategies and enhancing strategic decision making in the logistics industry under volatile business environments. Future research is recommended to expand the model’s results by including data from other logistics corridors and hubs.