Opportunities for the development of digital transport and cargo platforms in Asia

Abstract

In the European Union, the transport sector generates over 20% of the total GDP, so this steadily growing indicator shows the importance of effectiveness of transport in operation. As the influence of globalization expands the boundaries of economic and transport markets, the need to optimize and streamline activities of the transport sector and procedures for logistic actions has become inevitable. Digital transport management platforms, which not only facilitate and speed up the work of logistics managers, but also significantly increase the security of the transport market, can help to tackle the challenges in this area. Digital freight platforms promote transformation and optimization of business models. In Europe, where road transport is highly developed, there are ample transport exchange platforms, and customer assistance, a transport and freight exchange, an interactive map and effective feedback are the key products which they offer. There are far more of them in Europe and they are significantly more developed than in other regions (e. g. Asia or Africa), but a narrow focus on clearly defined market segments currently limits and weakens the potential of the platforms. Researchers say that in the long-term perspective the impact on the market of such platforms can be significant, which the experience of other markets, such as the growth of e-commerce or the transition to the food industry market, has already shown. Therefore, this article will analyse most popular transport and freight platforms in Europe and assess possibilities of their integration into Asian markets.