I. Introduction
Increase in international trading raised the importance of international transport, and the traditional single mode transport systems have changed into a multimodal transport system that uses two or more modes of transport. In addition, while the international transport networks become more complicated in such processes as creating new paths and removing existing ones, it is becoming more important to select efficient transport routes.
Since the cargo volume of transport between Korea and Europe is expected to increase as the Korea–EU FTA came into effect, the expectation for realization of the Trans-Korea Railway (TKR) and the national interest in the Arctic route call for developing new alternative transport routes. Recent efforts by the Korean Government pose greater expectation for connecting the TKR and the Trans-Asian Railway and test operation of Korean transporters on the Arctic route expedites realization of this new route.
Therefore, being prepared for the realization of new Korea–Europe transport routes requires review on such new transport routes and study on strategies and plans for developing a competitive transport system. Particularly seeing that the majority of freight between Korea and Europe is being carried mainly by sea transport through the Suez Canal (Route 5), it is highly needed to assess the competitiveness of the Arctic route (Route
6) which can be an alternative to Suez route, the intermodal routes by sea and railway (Route 2, 3, 4), and the new rail route of TKR and TSR (Route 1).
In addition, a systematic study is required to determine more efficient choice among many alternative transport routes. Many of existing studies (see II. Literature Review) consist of the assessment of single transport routes or analysis on some factors, but there are not enough studies that consider various factors all together for route selection.
The purpose of the study is three fold: (1) Introduce and apply the multi-criteria decision making technique to consider the critical factors (quantitative and qualitative) simultaneously for more objective route selection. (2) Determine the overall ranks in the order of competitiveness and analyze the strength and weakness of each route. (3) Based on (1) and (2), the improvement plans for routes are proposed with which the decision maker can choose the proper options depending on surroundings or preference.
Therefore, this study is intended to complement the limits in existing
studies, and assesses the competitiveness of6 major transport routes between Korea and Europe. In this regard, first, we analyze quantitative and qualitative factors for international transport routes and rank the routes by applying the TOPSIS technique using the triangular fuzzy number. Second, by considering quantitative and qualitative factors separately the priorities of routes are compared in more detail. Third, focusing on the characteristics of individual routes, the competitiveness of the sea transport and the railway transport is discussed.