A bibliometric analysis and hotspot discussion of container multimodal transport in China based on CiteSpace

Since the mid-20th century, with the vigorous development of globalization and the continuous improvement of the international trade system, container multimodal transport has gradually become the mainstream mode of international cargo transportation. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current research status of container multimodal transport in China by examining publications from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) spanning from January 1, 2000, to April 1, 2024. Utilizing CiteSpace software, a visual analysis of the annual publication volume and key terms was conducted, highlighting the research hotspots and developmental trends in this domain. The findings suggest that the study of container multimodal transport has increasingly gained popularity within China in recent years. Based on these insights, the paper identifies three future research directions: the iterative upgrading of optimization algorithms under multi-objective and multi-scenario conditions of the entire process, the development of intelligent container multimodal transport systems, and the exploration of multimodal transport from the perspective of green logistics. This analysis aims to chart the developmental trajectory and current status of container multimodal transport, providing valuable guidance for future academi c research and robust theoretical support for industry practice.