Reshaping the Freight Landscape - Analyzing the Effects of COVID-19, Digital Platforms and Policy

In recent years, the transportation networks have faced numerous unprecedented challenges that have significantly impacted their operations. Some of these challenges, such as those triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, have disrupted markets and resulted in immediate and destructive consequences. Others, such as climate change, require profound and complex transformations towards more sustainable shipping configurations (e.g., intermodal transport), ideally supported by policymakers. Additionally, challenges arising from competition within and between logistics markets are forcing a shift towards digitalization, replacing traditional business models with digital platforms and presenting both difficulties and opportunities. In our research, we aim to address these challenges within the fields of container shipping, rail-truck intermodal, and less-than-truckload transportation. We analyze secondary data and employ the freight transport demand modeling approach to gain insights and develop strategies that can navigate these obstacles effectively.

Anatolii Borisov is a PhD candidate in the field of logistics at the Kühne Logistics University (KLU) under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Hanno Friedrich and Prof. Dr. Marcos Ritel since April 2022. His research revolves around freight transport, with a primary focus on the emerging challenges affecting different freight networks. Prior to his doctoral studies, Anatolii completed his master's degree in Global Supply Chain Management at the KLU. The stayed at the university as a research associate for the project "HEGEL – Hypernetwork of German Logistics" funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport of Germany (BMDV).