Transport Chain between China and Germany: A SWOT Analysis

Abstract

Optimization of international transport chain may significantly contribute to the successful outcome of international trade. The performance of various transport mode influences its selection. This paper analyses and compares the transport chain between China and Germany, aiming to identify the best practices and chose the optimal transport mode. Based on analyzing secondary data, the different transport modes are presented. The SWOT analysis was selected to analyze and compare the competitive operation of the various transport modes between China and Germany. It was explored the determinate of the selection of transport mode; the train transport should be urged to develop between China and Germany, besides air- and marine mode; In addition, price, timing, service grade and relationship with forwarder are the vital factors to the routine option between China and Germany. More secondary data should be used to validate the research in the future.

Designing and Decision Making of Transport Chains between China and Germany

“…For trade between countries it is mainly a roadsea -road or a road -air -road sequence. Within Europe other combinations such as road -rail -road or roadsurface water -road transport are also common [25] [30].…”

“…Seventy-one percent of them were from China to Frankfurt, and 30% of them were from Frankfurt to China. That means there is a large surplus of exports over imports for China [13] [30]. .…”

“…Meanwhile, rail transport plays only a subordinate role so far in China. In fact, only 8% of freight volumes (normally solids) were transported by the rail network [30].…”

“…Nowadays, 60 countries are involved in Europe-Asia trade, which represents more than 50% of the world's GDP and 70% of trade volume and more than 60% of the world's population. Marine and air transportation cannot meet the increasing business needs [30]. Based on a comparison in terms of time and flexibility, rail transport is an ideal potential for developing an alternative mode.…”

“…In the beginning of 2009 Istanbul, southern Europe and the Chinese east coast were connected successfully. By 2020 the TAR will be constructed over 100,000 km [30] [16].…”