Impact of Collaborative Multimodal Transport on the Logistics Performance of Bangladesh

Abstract The heavy reliance on road transport in Bangladesh poses significant challenges that hinder the country's logistics landscape, due to congestion, lengthy haulage durations, and increased associated costs. Bangladesh currently ranks 100th out of 160 nations in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index with an inefficient logistics sector that needs significant improvement. In this research, the authors investigate how multimodal transport may offer potential advantages in addressing challenges that are not easily handled by today's conventional logistics industry landscape. The study identifies key areas for logistics improvements. It explored the concept of cooperative multimodal transportation and its potential to simplify logistics operations, reduce delivery times, lower costs, and enhance customer service. A questionnaire was used for a survey of transportation industry experts to determine the dimensions of collaborative multimodal transport (CMT) and their impact on logistics performance. This was followed by measuring CMT and logistics performance using the collected data, where structural equation modelling would be utilised to test a series of factors, including construct validity and hypothesis testing on how different aspects of CMT relate to logistics performance. The results indicate a positive outcome of IT innovation, infrastructure quality, administrative efficiency, and logistics performance. IT developments across multimodal transportation systems increase logistics efficiency and reliability. This study fills this gap and offers practical guidance to policymakers, despite potential limitations in the available information, infrastructure issues, and numerous other conditions. Addressing these challenges and utilising collective multimodal transport would open up new vistas of growth for its logistics space.