From Survey-Based LPI to Logistics Performance Indicators 2.0: Connectivity, Dwell Time, and Sustainable Economic Performance in Arab and European Economies

Logistics performance measurement is shifting from perception-based country rankings toward operational indicators that capture connectivity, movement speed, and delay conditions. This study examines how the transition from the legacy Logistics Performance Index to the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Indicators 2.0 changes logistics performance assessment and its economic and environmental interpretation in 19 Arab and European economies. The analysis uses a three-stage design. First, it examines the legacy LPI panel for 2007–2023 to provide a historical logistics-performance baseline. Second, it uses 2023–2024 LPI 2.0 indicators to benchmark operational performance through maritime, aviation and postal connectivity, import dwell time, port turnaround time, transshipment time, and postal delivery time. Third, it links these indicators to GDP per capita growth and CO 2 emissions through exploratory cross-sectional models. The results suggest that operational logistics indicators reveal performance differences that are partly hidden by perception-based aggregate scores. Connectivity is positively associated with economic performance, while longer dwell time and port turnaround are associated with weaker economic outcomes and higher emissions. The environmental results are conditional: stronger connectivity is associated with higher emissions where logistics growth remains energy-intensive, while smoother operations are associated with lower congestion-related emissions. The study contributes by positioning LPI 2.0 as an operational dashboard rather than a replacement ranking system and by showing how connectivity, time performance, and regional structure shape logistics and sustainability outcomes. The findings are interpreted as exploratory associations because LPI 2.0 currently provides limited time coverage.