The Impact of Digitalisation and Operational Coordination on Transport Efficiency in Intermodal Logistics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61954/2616-7107/2026.10.2-1Keywords:
Digitalisation, Intermodal Terminals, Logistics Hubs, Supply Chain, Transport Infrastructure.Abstract
Background. Modern logistics is impossible without the construction and development of intermodal logistics hubs, the effectiveness of which largely depends on the level of digitalisation and the quality of operational coordination, which are key factors in their competitiveness.
Purpose. This study aims to analyse the role and importance of modern intermodal logistics terminals in achieving efficiency in the integration of transport networks and to evaluate the impact of digitalisation and organisational coordination on the efficiency of intermodality in Bulgaria.
Findings. The analysis revealed average terminal efficiency, primarily due to insufficient coordination among supply chain participants and increased cargo idle time. Infrastructure limitations are less critical than partial digitalisation and the lack of comprehensive digital solutions. The overall efficiency of intermodal terminals in Bulgaria is rated as average, with 47% of respondents rating it only as “satisfactory”. Weak coordination between operators (66% of participants) and insufficient digital integration were cited as key issues. The latter point is supported by the fact that 69% of specialists rated the current level of digitalisation as average or low, and 63% consider its improvement a key development priority. The lack of coordination and digital solutions directly correlates with operational losses, as cargo dwell times reach 3-6 hours; however, with better organisation, this can be reduced to 1-3 hours. According to 82% of respondents, these delays lead to increased logistics costs. The results confirm that the development of digitalisation is the foundation for improved coordination and operational efficiency, making it a key factor in optimisation.
Implications. Digital integration is emerging as a strategically more important factor in the current development of intermodal terminals, and skilled integrated information management, especially against the backdrop of the country's strategic geographical location, will lead to rapid opportunities to improve the overall efficiency of intermodal terminals. Standardisation of electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) documents and the use of full automation capabilities, including optical character recognition (OCR), radio-frequency identification (RFID), and terminal operating system (TOS) integration, are also recommended for future studies.
References
Alaei, S., Mommens, K., Durán-Micco, J., & Macharis, C. (2024). Evaluating Logistics Companies’ Readiness towards Adopting Synchromodality in the Flanders Region. Sustainability, 16(11), 4834. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114834
Anguelov, K., & Kenova, R. (2018). Research and evaluation of factors and sub-factors that affect the timeliness and reliability of deliveries and their importance for the efficiency of the logistic processes. In 2018 International Conference on High Technology for Sustainable Development (HiTech) (pp. 1–5). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/HiTech.2018.8566513
Beškovnik, B., & Golnar, M. (2020). Evaluating the environmental impact of complex intermodal transport chains. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 19(7), 1131–1141. https://doi.org/10.30638/eemj.2020.107
Caris, A., Macharis, C., & Janssens, G. K. (2008). Planning Problems in Intermodal Freight Transport: Accomplishments and Prospects. Transportation Planning and Technology, 31(3), 277–302. https://doi.org/10.1080/03081060802086397
Dimitrov, I., & Gigov, R. (2022). Increasing the supply chain competitiveness of Bulgarian companies by applying blockchain technology. In 2022 V International Conference on High Technology for Sustainable Development (HiTech) (pp. 1–4). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/HiTech56937.2022.10145534
European Commission. (2024). Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/infrastructure-and-investment/trans-european-transport-network-ten-t_en
Giusti, R., Manerba, D., Bruno, G., & Tadei, R. (2019). Synchromodal logistics: An overview of critical success factors, enabling technologies, and open research issues. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 129, 92–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2019.07.009
Goodarzi, A. H., Jabbarzadeh, A., Fahimnia, B., & Paquet, M. (2024). Evaluating the sustainability and resilience of an intermodal transport network leveraging consolidation strategies. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 188, 103616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2024.103616
Hervás-Peralta, M., Poveda-Reyes, S., Molero, G. D., Santarremigia, F. E., & Pastor-Ferrando, J.-P. (2019). Improving the Performance of Dry and Maritime Ports by Increasing Knowledge about the Most Relevant Functionalities of the Terminal Operating System (TOS). Sustainability, 11(6), 1648. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061648
Hoffelner, M., Woschank, M., & Jöbstl, L. (2024). Sustainable aspects of intermodal transport: A systematic literature review on the current state. In F. Concli, L. Maccioni, R. Vidoni, & D. T. Matt (Eds.), Latest advancements in mechanical engineering (ISIEA 2024; Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, Vol. 1125). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70465-9_16
Ilieva, R., Anguelov, K., & Nikolov, Y. (2019). Mathematical algorithms for artificial intelligence. In V. Pasheva, N. Popivanov, & G. Venkov (Eds.), Proceedings of the 45th International Conference on Application of Mathematics in Engineering and Economics (AMEE’19). AIP Conference Proceedings, 2172, Article 110015. AIP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5133618
Karaś, A. (2024). The role of intermodal transport in the decarbonization of seaports. European Research Studies, XXVII(2), 1014–1021. https://doi.org/10.35808/ersj/3873
Khaslavskaya, A., & Roso, V. (2020). Dry ports: research outcomes, trends, and future implications. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 22(2), 265–292. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41278-020-00152-9
Kine, H. Z., Gebresenbet, G., Tavasszy, L., & Ljungberg, D. (2022). Digitalization and Automation in Intermodal Freight Transport and Their Potential Application for Low-Income Countries. Future Transportation, 2(1), 41-54. https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp2010003
Krachunov, H. A., Ovcharova, S., & Maruniak, E. O. (2021). Logistic potential for ensuring sustainable development of Bulgaria and Western Balkans. Ukrainian Geographical Journal, 2021(4), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.15407/ugz2021.04.039
Lättilä, L., Henttu, V., & Hilmola, O.-P. (2013). Hinterland operations of sea ports do matter: Dry port usage effects on transportation costs and CO₂ emissions. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 55, 23–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2013.03.007
Lee, E. (2015). Spatial analysis for an intermodal terminal to support agricultural logistics: A case study in the upper great plains. Management Research Review, 38(3), 299–319. https://doi.org/10.1108/mrr-06-2013-0131
López-Acevedo, F. J., Herrero, M. J., Escavy Fernández, J. I., & González Bravo, J. (2024). Potential Reduction in Carbon Emissions in the Transport of Aggregates by Switching from Road-Only Transport to an Intermodal Rail/Road System. Sustainability, 16(22), 9871. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229871
Mata-Lima, H., Galuzzi Silva, M. C., Emilien, M., Silveira, A. P., Sacht, H. M., Vettorazzi, E., & Morgado-Dias, F. (2019). Identifying and ranking environmental aspects of a dry port in Foz do Iguaçu city, Paraná‐Brazil. Environmental Quality Management, 29(1), 57–62. https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.21652
Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria. (2022). National plan for the development of combined transport in the Republic of Bulgaria until 2030. https://www.mtc.government.bg/bg/category/170/nacionalen-plan-za-razvitie-na-kombiniraniya-transport-v-republika-bulgariya-do-2030-g-0
Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria. (2017). Integrated transport strategy for the period until 2030 (Decision No. 336/23 June 2017). https://www.mtc.government.bg/en/category/42/integrated-transport-strategy-period-until-2030
National Railway Infrastructure Company. (2017). Official Public documents and reports on the Construction of an intermodal terminal in the South Central Planning Region in Bulgaria. https://www.rail-infra.bg/bg/167
Petrov, K., & Tsonkov, N. (2023). Development of Bulgarian Black Sea municipalities in the context of European integration. European Integration Studies, 1(17), 83–97. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.eis.1.17.34275
Popov, G., Anguelov, K., Angelova, M., & Popova, A. (2019). Mathematical approach for determining the optimal size of a logistic unit in case of high transport risk. In Proceedings of the 45th International Conference on Application of Mathematics in Engineering and Economics (AMEE’19): AIP Conference Proceedings, 2172(1), 110018. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5133621
Raza, Z., Woxenius, J., Vural, C. A., & Lind, M. (2023). Digital transformation of maritime logistics: Exploring trends in the liner shipping segment. Computers in Industry, 145, 103811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2022.103811
Rodrigues, T. de A., Mota, C. M. de M., Ojiako, U., & Dweiri, F. (2021). Assessing the objectives of dry ports: main issues, challenges and opportunities in Brazil. International Journal of Logistics Management, 32(1), 237–261. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijlm-10-2020-0386
Stoykov, S. (2018). Scientific knowledge – source of a competitive advantage in security. In 2018 International Conference on High Technology for Sustainable Development (HiTECH 2018). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/HiTech.2018.8566548
Tadić, S., Krstić, M., Roso, V., & Brnjac, N. (2019). Planning an intermodal terminal for the sustainable transport networks. Sustainability, 11(15), 4102. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11154102
Terminali AD. (2025), Intermodal Terminal in Plovdiv. http://terminali.bg
Tsonkov, N., & Kostev, R. (2023). GIS-based model for the assessment of the smart sustainable development of the municipalities of Northeast Bulgaria. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, 15(4), 81–92. https://doi.org/10.59035/mbly5833
Turi, A., & Boglut, G.-I. (2024). Intermodal transportation challenges in eastern Europe: Case study of Romania. Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, 18(1), 2018–2031. https://doi.org/10.2478/picbe-2024-0171
Varese, E., Bux, C., Amicarelli, V., & Lombardi, M. (2022). Assessing Dry Ports’ Environmental Sustainability. Environments, 9(9), 117. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9090117
Vural, C., Roso, V., Halldórsson, Á., Ståhle, G., & Yaruta, M. (2020). Can digitalization mitigate barriers to intermodal transport? An exploratory study. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 37(100525), 100525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2020.100525
Wilmsmeier, G., Monios, J., & Lambert, B. (2011). The directional development of intermodal freight corridors in relation to inland terminals. Journal of Transport Geography, 19(6), 1379–1386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2011.07.010
Witte, P. A., Wiegmans, B. W., van Oort, F. G., & Spit, T. J. M. (2012). Chokepoints in corridors: Perspectives on bottlenecks in the European transport network. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 5, 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2012.10.001
Yadollahi, Z., Gharibi, R., Dashti, R., & Torabi Jahromi, A. (2024). Optimal energy management of energy hub: A reinforcement learning approach. Sustainable Cities and Society, 102, 105179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2024.105179
Zain, R. M., Salleh, N. H. M., Zaideen, I. M. M., Menhat, M. N. S., & Jeevan, J. (2022). Dry ports: Redefining the concept of seaport-city integrations. Transportation Engineering, 8, 100112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.treng.2022.100112
Zajac, M., Rožić, T., Swieboda-Kutera, J., & Starčević, M. (2025). Digital Planning Tools in Intermodal Transport: Evidence from Poland. Logistics, 9(3), 94. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics9030094
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Economics Ecology Socium
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
If the article is accepted for publication in the journal «Economics. Ecology. Socium» the author must sign an agreementon transfer of copyright. The agreement is sent to the postal (original) or e-mail address (scanned copy) of the journal editions.
