Introduction: the “building blocks” approach for MMDC formation

For implementation of the well-known regional strategies for the development of MMDCs in Eurasian countries (EAEU, CIS, CAREC), an approach based on the creation of so-called digital infrastructure “building blocks,” originally proposed in the EU, can be effectively applied. Such “building blocks” represent open-source, interoperable, and reusable digital solutions developed on the basis of standards adopted within a particular economic region to support cross-border digital services. They are usually developed as regulatory solutions (frameworks), regional standards, software modules, software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, or a possible combination of these elements. These blocks and solutions can be integrated into various digital infrastructures of the transport and logistics sector for use by public and private organizations in order to provide interoperable services within MMDCs.

This approach offers the following advantages:

• Cross-border interoperability — unified building blocks enable seamless “communication” between fragmented national IT systems.
• Efficiency — public and private organizations save time and resources by using existing centrally developed regional solutions instead of building them from scratch.
• Digital sovereignty — by using standards-based tools independent from foreign vendors, a particular economic region and its countries reduce dependence on proprietary technological solutions.

Core digital infrastructure modules (CompleteSoft development for ADB)

Based on the approach described above, the CompleteSoft expert group, during implementation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) project in several CAREC countries, proposed the following set of core digital infrastructure modules for building national MMDC segments:

1. NSLP platform with integration and multimodal process orchestration modules;
2. Data pipeline modules for secure information exchange between participants of transport and logistics processes within the country and internationally;
3. Electronic document modules for standardized international transport and cargo accompanying documents;
4. Standardized Single Window solutions for Border Crossing Points (BCPs) based on comprehensive digitalization of key border control procedures;
5. Converters for processing data formats and electronic documents between different transport modalities;
6. A recommended package of cross-border services for MMDCs.

The previously described reference architecture of the NSLP platform (National Systems of Electronic Logistics — NSLP: functional requirements and architecture) includes a client module layer and an integration layer with modules that provide connectivity to modal IT systems, as well as data storage, processing, security, validation, and exchange.
The orchestration layer should support digitalization of key multimodal business processes and include standard electronic document modules used within a specific country to facilitate exchange of various data sets for all transport modes, including electronic Bill of Lading (eBill of Lading), electronic consignment note (eCMR), electronic rail CIM/SMGS, electronic Certificate of Origin (eCertificate of Origin), electronic transit document (eTIR), electronic permit (ePermit), and others. This reference solution can be used as a heterogeneous digital platform integrating information resources of transport and logistics participants within a specific country and, through standardized data pipeline modules, enabling cross-border information exchange within MMDCs for the purpose of digitalizing multimodal business processes in supply chains. Such a platform enables the creation of a trusted information space connecting all participants of the national transport and logistics sector and MMDC participants.

Elements of T&L infrastructure in national segments of MMTC

In addition to the considered basic modules, national segments of MMTC also include the following elements of transport and logistics (T&L) infrastructure: intermodal transport hubs (where cargo can be transshipped from one mode of transport to another), multimodal logistics centers/dry ports, and border crossing points (BCPs). In the ADB project on the development strategy of the main CAREC-21 corridor, priority was given to measures aimed at the digitalization of border crossing points, transport logistics centers, as well as the implementation of standardized electronic documents and forms – i.e., actions related to the main participants of the national level of MMTC. At the meeting of the Customs Coordination Committee of CAREC countries in 2025, an effective approach to the digitalization of BCPs was proposed based on the concept of a “single electronic window” and electronic advance information for customs authorities and customs declaration using a set of core electronic documents: e-TIR, e-CMR, e-CIM/SMGS, etc. In cross-border exchange of these electronic documents, it is necessary to ensure their unified standard format so that IT systems at state borders and across different modes of transport are compatible (interoperable) and can create seamless digital technologies for international transport along multimodal transport corridors.

One of the necessary conditions for ensuring cross-border interoperability of IT systems of MMTC participating countries is the use of unified international standards for electronic data interchange (EDI). One such standard, which has been widely used for over 40 years in cross-border EDI, is UN/EDIFACT. Over this time, the standard has become outdated and is highly labor-intensive for programming, limiting the use of modern system tools. Therefore, at present most railway administrations of OSJD countries process electronic CIM/SMGS consignment notes in their corporate IT systems using modern national EDI standards.

In particular, electronic SMGS and CIM/SMGS consignment notes are issued in JSON and XML formats. However, the structures of these electronic documents differ in each country, which complicates the interoperability of national railway IT systems. Therefore, specialized converters are used to organize cross-border exchange of electronic consignment notes (e-SMGS). It should be noted that during such conversions (recoding) of electronic consignment notes, cases of data distortion occur and erroneous cargo re-routing may arise. A fundamental solution to these problems is the transition of OSJD railways from UN/EDIFACT standards to modern UN/CEFACT standards. To improve cross-border EDI, it was proposed to use software converters, and an interim solution was developed within a project with UNECE by the CompleteSoft expert group and LOGOVISTA for converting data from railway transport documents in EDIFACT standard (IFTMIN message structure) into electronic documents in JSON and XML formats based on the UNECE reference data model for multimodal transport (MMT RDM).

Cross-border service package for MMTC

The cross-border service package for MMTC was developed with the participation of CompleteSoft experts within the framework of the T&L digitalization project in Georgia, based on recommendations from World Bank consultants who studied the TMTC corridor segment between the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The corresponding list and brief description of such services is presented in Table 1 and covers a wide range of functions: from logistics and supply chain management services, electronic document processing, to cargo monitoring and tracking services.

National programs for transport and logistics digitalization

National transport and logistics platforms and systems

Digitalization of transport and logistics business processes

Digital transport corridors (DTC)