The Hanken School of Economics is hosting a key seminar as part of SDG Week, focusing on the theme of resilience and sustainability in freight transport. This event will explore innovative solutions and strategies for enhancing multimodal transport networks in the face of ongoing disruptions. Join us for an engaging discussion with 2 leading researchers:

• Ketki Kulkarni, Postdoctoral Researcher at HUMLOG Institute
• Tamara Kirkwood-Wright, Doctoral Researcher at Supply Chain Management and Social Responsibility, Hanken School of Economics

Resilience and Sustainability in Focus

The European transport network, particularly in the Baltics, is increasingly strained due to the evolving geopolitical landscape and the aftereffects of climate change. In response, ReMuNet (Resilient Multimodal Transport Networks) is working to enhance the resilience of freight transport by exploring alternative routing options and strategies to mitigate disruptions.

This seminar will explore how multimodality—utilizing different transportation modes such as road, rail, air, and waterways—can enhance the sustainability and robustness of supply chains. The session is divided into two parts, each providing unique insights into addressing these critical challenges.

Part 1: Social Sciences and Humanities Approach to Resilient Transport

The first part of the webinar will cover a qualitative study led by Hanken, focusing on:

1. Defining disruptions from the perspective of logistics operators and stakeholders.
2. Identifying frequently occurring and severe disruptions.
3. Understanding how these disruptions are managed.

This study draws from 20 in-depth interviews with infrastructure managers, logistics operators, government agencies, and key stakeholders across various transport modes (road, rail, air, waterways) in the EU network. The findings classify disruptions by their severity, cause, and duration, and assess the resilience of different transport modes based on stakeholder perceptions.

Part 2: Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine through the North-Sea Baltic Corridor

In the second half, the discussion shifts to a real-world case study involving humanitarian aid delivery to Ukraine via the North-Sea Baltic corridor. This case study examines how logistics and supply chain management can support humanitarian operations in conflict zones, particularly in light of the complexities posed by modern warfare.

Led by Hanken, this case study addresses:

• The changing nature of conflicts since the Cold War.
• Challenges faced in delivering humanitarian aid in war zones.
• How advancements in technology, disinformation, and weapon availability have impacted humanitarian logistics.

This analysis underscores the importance of resilient, multimodal transport systems in responding to humanitarian needs in complex conflict settings.

Why Attend?

• Gain a deeper understanding of the role of multimodality in enhancing transport resilience.
• Learn from cutting-edge research on managing disruptions in freight networks.
• Explore the intersection of transport and humanitarian logistics in conflict areas.

Register here.