Analysis of Intermodal Transport Potentials for Vegetables Export from Southeast Spain

Juan Carlos Pérez-Mesa, Lucía Aballay, Serrano-Arcos Mª and Raquel Sánchez-Fernández
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Juan Carlos Pérez-Mesa: Department of Economics and Business, University of Almería (Agrifood Campus of International Excellence, ceiA3, Mediterranean Research Center on Economics and Sustainable Development, CIMEDES), 04120 Almería, Spain
Lucía Aballay: Department of Economics and Business, University of Almería (Agrifood Campus of International Excellence, ceiA3, Mediterranean Research Center on Economics and Sustainable Development, CIMEDES), 04120 Almería, Spain
Serrano-Arcos Mª: Department of Economics and Business, University of Almería (Agrifood Campus of International Excellence, ceiA3, Mediterranean Research Center on Economics and Sustainable Development, CIMEDES), 04120 Almería, Spain
Raquel Sánchez-Fernández: Department of Economics and Business, University of Almería (Agrifood Campus of International Excellence, ceiA3, Mediterranean Research Center on Economics and Sustainable Development, CIMEDES), 04120 Almería, Spain
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Juan Carlos Pérez Mesa

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-16

Abstract: This work studies the viability of intermodal transport of horticultural products from southeast Spain to the rest of Europe. This sector has an exportation turnover of 4100 million € and accounts for 69% of total Spanish exports and 35% of the consumption of vegetables in the European Union. The transportation services for the sector are carried out entirely by refrigerated trucks. Due to increased cost, transit limitations, and the strategic dependence on only one transport mode, it is necessary to seek out alternative logistics formulas. In this sense, intermodal transport could be a good option as it can reduce cost and the environmental impact of transport. This paper analyzes the problems involved in using intermodality by conducting a survey among exporters with the additional goal of looking for viable routes using road + short sea shipping. The impact of the transport modal shift on exports is also analyzed using a gravity model. The results show that the route from southeast Spain to the United Kingdom is the most viable. What is more, this strategy can increase exports to this country by reducing transport costs. In general, intermodality can help improve the competitiveness of the Spanish horticultural export sector.

Keywords: logistics; truck; short sea shipping; export gravity model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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