Title: Using Eurasian landbridge in logistics operations: building knowledge through case studies

Authors: Per Hilletofth, Harri Lorentz, Ville-Veikko Savolainen, Olli-Pekka Hilmola, Oksana Ivanova

Addresses: School of Technology and Society, University of Skovde, P.O. Box 408, SE-541 28 Skovde, Sweden. ' Logistics, Turku School of Economics, Rehtorinpellonkatu 3, FIN-20500 Turku, Finland. ' Lappeenranta University of Technology, Kouvola Research Unit, Prikaatintie 9, FIN-45100 Kouvola, Finland. ' Lappeenranta University of Technology, Kouvola Research Unit, Prikaatintie 9, FIN-45100 Kouvola, Finland. ' Lappeenranta University of Technology, Section of Logistics, Skinnarilankatu 34, FIN-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: This research concerns about the use of Eurasia as a landbridge for container traffic. We present case study findings concerning European-Asian transportation, and this reveals that the lead time advantage of landbridges (with respect of its costs) would be suitable for a manufacturer, but malfunctioning parts of harbours and railway transports hinder the potential of this alternative. Findings from demanding manufacturing logistics are further verified with a case study concerning a Finnish retailer having increasingly important presence in Russian markets. Retailer used to favour railways (∼early part of Eurasian corridor) but has nowadays configured distribution operations to favour road transports.

Keywords: landbridges; container transports; logistics network management; Trans-Siberian landbridge; European-Asian transportation; Eurasia; intermodal transportation; manufacturing logistics; Finland; Russia.

DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2007.013950

World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2007 Vol.1 No.2, pp.183 - 201

Published online: 04 Jun 2007 *

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