The heads of state of the BRICS countries recognised the importance of the integrated use of transport to create a sustainable system within the group back at the Kazan Summit in 2024. Developed infrastructure, economically efficient routes, new technologies and standards should facilitate the growth of trade flows and the movement of people. It is for this purpose that the countries are exploring the possibility of establishing a unified logistics platform. Its goal is to create multimodal logistics between countries and to improve coordination and legal frameworks. When could the new system emerge? What will it look like? Which modes of transport and existing corridors could form its basis? And why do experts speak of cautious optimism regarding integration, as well as of a complex compromise between ambitions and sovereign realities?
A unified logistics platform, experts say, is not about building ports, roads and hubs from scratch, but about the coordinated and most efficient use of what already exists. In theory, a single platform could contain information on all routes of the participating countries – both passenger and freight. This would allow companies to build optimal routes in terms of time and cost, attract foreign partners, and create multimodal routes using different modes of transport. In addition, such a system could enable transport companies to diversify routes and avoid dependence on a single port or country. This is useful in the event of congestion or restrictions. Thus, the focus is more on data exchange and digitalisation than on a physical structure. According to Candidate of Political Sciences and Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Economic Studies of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Nelli Semenova, it is most likely that this will not be a single logistics centre in the classical sense but a digital and institutional superstructure that virtually links existing and developing national and regional corridors, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the North–South corridor.
“By its very nature, such a platform may represent an interoperable interaction protocol rather than a monolithic structure. Its core is a set of agreed technical standards, digital interfaces (APIs) and data exchange rules that allow different national booking, tracking and customs clearance systems to ‘communicate’ with each other,” Nelli Semenova said in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS.
The creators of the BRICS multimodal logistics platform will also have to give serious thought to its architecture. Experts consider this task to be one of the most challenging. After all, to connect flows into a single network, common rules of the game will be required, says transport cooperation expert Nelli Semenova.
“The platform should not replace national systems but should create common rules of the game for them: end-to-end digital corridors with simplified customs procedures, mechanisms for tariff coordination, a platform for settlements in national currencies and a unified register of trusted operators. This should operate on the principle of a federal network, where each participant retains control over its infrastructure and data but delegates to the platform the functions of coordinator and guarantor of compliance with common protocols,” believes Nelli Semenova.
That is why, according to experts, in the coming years one should not expect a so-called platform of platforms that instantly connects all existing maritime, rail and road routes of the group. However, pilot projects on sections that logistically connect individual BRICS countries should be expected. Moreover, some experts are confident that the project could start with the development of sea routes and maritime transport.
“In practice, logistics integration within BRICS will most likely initially focus on maritime transport and ports, as they form the basis of international trade flows and represent a natural focal point for standardising documentation, transparency and performance indicators at the international level. Subsequently, priority is usually given to rail transport, which is crucial for ensuring corridor connectivity and integrating inland transport,” Eric Escalona Aguilar notes in an interview with TV BRICS.
Road transport for last-mile delivery and air transport for high-value and urgent cargoes are likely to be integrated into the logistics platform at a later stage.
