Effective strategies for managing multimodal transportation

Abstract

The article examines effective multimodal transportation management strategies in the context of the current economic and political instability in the Russian Federation. The relevance of the transition from classical unimodal to multimodal schemes for cost optimization and increased reliability of delivery is substantiated. The authors analyze the key advantages (single operator responsibility, route flexibility) and risks (schedule coupling, customs collisions, cargo safety during transshipment) of this type of logistics. The stages of supply chain planning are considered in detail, including network modeling, the choice of transit hubs and the optimal mix of transport (sea, rail, road, air). Special attention is paid to the methodology for calculating the total cost of cargo ownership and the need for buffer planning. A significant part of the work is devoted to the digitalization of processes: the introduction of transport management systems (TMS), ensuring end-to-end visibility, the use of IoT sensors to monitor cargo status, blockchain for electronic document management and artificial intelligence for predictive analytics. It is concluded that the success of multimodal transportation depends not so much on infrastructure as on the quality of docking management, data transparency, and integration of modern technologies. The implementation of the described integrated strategies allows companies to minimize operational risks and turn the complexity of logistics chains into a tool for competitive advantage in the international market.