Multimodal transport efficiency in agricultural supply chains: a case study of rail-road integration in Thailand’s sugar logistics

Abstract

Freight transportation is a key driver of agricultural supply chains that impacts both economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. In Thailand, sugar logistics relies heavily on road transport, leading to high operational costs, congestion, and significant carbon emissions. As the demand for cost-effective and sustainable logistics solutions grows, multimodal transport that integrate rail and road—has emerged as a promising alternative. This study evaluates the feasibility and competitiveness of rail-road combined transport for sugar logistics in Northeast Thailand, focusing on its potential to reduce costs and emissions. A geographic information system-based route optimization framework is applied to compare the transport expenses and CO₂ emissions of road-only and multimodal models. Using data from 21 sugar mills, a multimodal cost model is developed, incorporating factors such as fuel consumption, fuel price, handling fees, transport distance, number of containers, and emissions impact. The findings reveal that shifting sugar logistics to a rail-road system can reduce costs by up to 67.81% and lower CO₂ emissions by 76.50% for distances exceeding 200 km, aligning with Thailand’s green logistics goals. However, infrastructure gaps and high investment costs remain barriers. To facilitate multimodal transport adoption, strategic investments, policy support, and industry collaboration are essential. This study contributes to the sustainable development of agricultural freight transport by providing data-driven insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders.