Globalized Trade, Logistics and Intermodality: European Perspectives

Abstract

This chapter describes megatrends that are shaping international trade, logistics organization and (multi)modal transport in Europe. It focuses on impacts on the European context, both from the peculiarities arising from the European uni?cation process and the European transport policies but also taking into account the highly fragmented transport market that tries to cope with the increased level of congestion, the threat of increasing taxes and fuel prices as well as the ever increasing service requirements. The main message of this chapter is that there is an increasing need for consolidation and collaboration in supply chains resulting in hybrid multi-echelon networks using multiple routing options. The principles behind the design of these networks are clari?ed, and the way these networks can be implemented in a multimodal context is presented through a description of the multimodal transport market in Europe as well as by giving a number of examples that clarify the way these networks can operate. The present trend of increasing transport costs because of internalization of external costs and higher fuel prices will strengthen the possibilities for using slow modes of transport in combination with fast modes, when necessary