Modern approaches to comprehensive transport and logistics digitalization
Problem: technological fragmentation and "silo" digitalization
The effectiveness of digital transformation in the transport and logistics sector (TLS) across Eurasia depends on a number of key factors and challenges. The first and most critical is technological fragmentation and the lack of a well-developed, comprehensive digitalization strategy. In many countries of the region, the focus is placed on implementing isolated digital solutions rather than integrating them into a unified framework that reflects both national priorities and the benefits of regional cooperation. This results in so-called “silo digitalization,” which prevents the achievement of expected economic and market effects both at the national and regional levels.
Research conducted by UNECE and UNESCAP highlights that national TLS digitalization strategies and initiatives are often sector-specific and lack integration with related economic sectors. In addition, short-term national programs that are part of long-term socio-economic development plans are frequently fragmented and narrowly focused, which limits their successful implementation and reduces potential synergies and macroeconomic impact.
At the same time, countries often develop isolated local solutions aimed at improving data exchange or optimizing transport operations within specific transport modes. This increases the urgency of developing long-term, comprehensive digitalization strategies for the TLS sector that consider cross-sectoral linkages and focus on multimodal solutions and platforms ready for regional integration.
Preliminary stage: analysis of the current level of digitalization
An important preparatory step in developing a national strategy is a detailed assessment of the current level of digitalization of TLS and transport modes within a country, including identification of barriers that hinder digital transformation. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated and sustained efforts from multiple stakeholders. Most of this work should be carried out at the national level through field research involving experienced experts from all transport modes and business sectors. This also requires support at the level of public policy, synergy and partnership with the business community, as well as capacity-building programs for transport and logistics leaders, enabling them to effectively manage digital transformation processes.
Drivers of transformation: emerging digital technologies
The relevance of developing comprehensive national strategies is driven by the fact that the transport and logistics sector (TLS) across the Eurasian region is undergoing a wave of digital transformation, enabled by the emergence of new digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G mobile communications, big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain. These technologies can deliver significant benefits for enhancing the competitiveness of TLS and transport corridors by improving operational efficiency, reducing energy intensity, and increasing service quality for customers. However, leveraging the full potential of digitalization in national TLS systems remains a complex challenge due to differences in the level of transport development across the Greater Eurasian region. There are also significant disparities in research and innovation capacity, digital skills, and financial investment in digital infrastructure among countries participating in regional corridors, which must be taken into account.
Therefore, during strategy development, countries must identify priority areas where practical digitalization of transport modes is most feasible, as well as deepen regional cooperation to enable a coordinated transition toward digital technologies.
Implementation tool: feasibility studies and roadmaps
At the same time, an effective instrument for substantiating the implementation plans of TLS digitalization strategies in a specific country is the development of feasibility studies (FS) and roadmaps. These include an assessment of informatization levels, identification of stakeholders, definition of key strategic digital transformation areas, analysis of core transport and logistics processes, as well as a description of trends, constraints, and risks.
The Completesoft expert group possesses the required competencies and has conducted analysis and developed these FS components for TLS digitalization strategies in a number of countries in the region, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Feasibility study project for TLS digitalization in Georgia (2023–2024)
In 2023–2024, the Completesoft expert team implemented a comprehensive feasibility study (FS) project for the digitalization of the transport and logistics sector (TLS) in Georgia, based on the National Transport and Logistics Strategy of Georgia for 2023–2030. The work included an assessment of the level of digitalization and IT systems across Georgia’s transport modes, an analysis of the regulatory framework and multimodal business processes in TLS, as well as the development of recommendations for their reengineering. Based on business requirements collected from a wide range of key TLS stakeholders, functional requirements were defined and a concept for the National Electronic Logistics System (NELS) was developed. It included the core components and functional architecture, built on international best practices and adapted to the specifics of the Georgian market.
As a result of the project, a detailed roadmap for the implementation of the National Electronic Logistics System (NELS) in the country was proposed, including the following components:
Establishment of a network across EU and Eastern Partnership countries within the initiative on digital market harmonization
A service and operational model with a package of digital services for the National Electronic Logistics System (NELS)
Analysis and recommendations on selecting public-private partnership (PPP) models for project implementation and operational management of NELS
A practical implementation sequence and timeline for the main stages and scope of work for the NELS project in Georgia, including an overall cost estimate and detailed budget planning by phase
Example: experience of the Russian Federation
An effective example of a comprehensive transport and logistics digitalization strategy is the experience of the Russian Federation, which adopted an updated digital transformation strategy through 2030 in 2023.
This comprehensive document has clearly defined objectives and includes a detailed assessment of the country’s transport and logistics sector (TLS), as well as a set of digital transformation indicators and a list of ministries and agencies responsible for co-implementing the strategy projects. The document covers an evaluation of the TLS state, stakeholder mapping, key strategic digital transformation challenges, analysis of core transport and logistics processes, and a description of trends and tasks requiring resolution. For each task, a set of digital initiatives is defined, including a range of project activities. Specific technologies for implementation and deployment are also selected for each initiative.
A flagship project of the freight transport strategy is the development and establishment of the National Digital Transport and Logistics Platform (NDTLP) of the Russian Federation, which was announced in December 2024.
Recent examples of comprehensive strategies in the region
Among the most recent examples of comprehensive transport and logistics (TLS) digitalization strategies in the region are the Concept for the Development of the TLS of the Republic of Uzbekistan, approved by Presidential Decree in January 2025, and the Strategy for the Digitalization of Key Multimodal Transport Corridors of CIS member states, adopted in September 2025 at the level of heads of state.