Multimodal transportation as a tool of efficient international logistics

The impact of the globalization of the world economy and the integration of national economies into the world economic system through the development of international trade and the increase in the level of efficiency of world markets affects the transport environment. The study of the theoretical and practical principles of the use of multimodal transportation in the modern development of the world economy to optimize resources, preserve the natural environment, and improve the efficiency of international logistics are today’s urgent tasks and constitute the purpose of this study. Three key roles of multimodal transportation are identified : as a direction of optimization of logistics activities, as a way of preserving the natural environment and as a means of increasing the competitiveness of the enterprise by entering new markets (on the example of the policy of the European Union). The influence of the transport system and multimodal transportation on the international competitiveness of the enterprise has been established, the need to support the wider use of multimodal solutions through internationalization and the use of combined transport has been determined. The advantages of multimodal transportation are defined, in particular : the possibility of door-to-door delivery, simplification of transportation and organization of material flow, cost reduction, more simplified cargo handling, and the possibility of using non-stressed transportation routes, etc. The conducted research made it possible to come to the conclusion that the system of multimodal transportation is aimed at facilitating international transport, which involves the integration of sea, port and internal transport of trading partners. Unfortunately, in this process, Ukraine is at the initial stage of implementation and must make significant efforts to establish itself as a real transit territory.