Integrative Dry Port Concept: A Chance for the Balkans

Abstract

Dry ports can be in the hinterland of sea ports as well as river ports. In addition, they can provide the services of classic logistics centers. Combining these three roles leads to a kind of integration not only of functions, but also of transport modes, parts and participants of the intermodal network, also to synergistic effects of the joint action of the parties involved. Therefore, this extension of the dry port concept can be called an integrative dry port. This very concept can be one of the chances for overcoming some of the environmental, economic, and social challenges of the logistics and economy of the Balkan Peninsula, bearing in mind its specific position in the context of geography and the global logistics network. The main contribution of this paper is the description of the new concept of the integrative dry port and the consideration of its applicability in the Balkans.