ESTABLISHING AN EFFICIENT OUTBOUND OVERSEAS LOGISTICS CHAIN OF SMALL CONSIGNMENTS: THE PERSPECTIVE OF EASTERN ADRIATIC REGION

The article deals with the problem of the appropriate transport mode choice in establishing efficient export overseas container groupage lines. The focus is on understanding the present transport network setup in the region of the Eastern Adriatic, which should enable costand time-efficient operation of LCL (Less than Container Load) services. The survey among LCL operators, NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers) operators and forwarding companies provides a comprehensive overview of the possibility of introducing new LCL lines through the ports of the Eastern Adriatic coast. The study exposes the barriers LCL operators face in maintaining efficient overseas LCL export services, especially in the initial stage when starting with new lines. Initial low volume of small consignments should be transported by LTL (Less than Truck Load) in precarriage transport; thus, the research analyses actual modal split choices and eventual limitations from price and time perspectives. The study brings novelty in the understanding of the actual organisation of transport chains regionally and the bases for transport community decisions for future efficient establishment of new LCL lines.