Towards Supply Chain Integration Through Multimodal Transport in Developing Economies: The Case of Bangladesh

This paper presents a normative model for efficient goods movement promoting supply chain integration in developing economies. Supply chains encompass a holistic throughput of goods movements to and from partner organisations including internal and external suppliers. Similarly, multimodal freight transport represents an integrated system for moving goods quickly and inexpensively from shipper to consignee by at least two different modes under a single contract. The initial discussion considers the influence of containerisation on international freight transport and some benefits and limitations of multimodalism. A trend towards supply chain integration and the implications for intermediaries and shippers or manufacturers in freight transport systems are discussed. Various barriers to supply chain integration in developing economies are presented. A case study of the scope for developing multimodal transport is reviewed in the light of particular national transport problems facing Bangladesh. Conclusions note the potential for multimodal freight transport to provide a catalyst for removing trade barriers and offer a model for achieving supply chain integration in such economies. Maritime Economics & Logistics (2005) 7, 382–399. doi:10.1057/palgrave.mel.9100144