WORLD EXPERIENCE IN REGULATING THE CREATION AND OPERATION OF LOGISTICS HUBS

Abstract

The article analyzes the main regulatory and legal acts governing the establishment, functioning, and development of logistics hubs, including dry ports, within both international and national frameworks. Special attention is devoted to identifying conceptual and terminological differences between the categories and classifications of logistics hubs used in foreign practice and those applied in Ukraine. The study demonstrates that discrepancies in definitions, regulatory approaches, and institutional models significantly affect the pace and effectiveness of logistics infrastructure development.

It is substantiated that contemporary state policy in the field of logistics hub development is primarily oriented toward environmental protection and sustainable transport development. In particular, regulatory initiatives increasingly focus on redirecting a substantial share of freight flows from road transport to more environmentally friendly modes, such as rail and inland water transport, thereby reducing carbon emissions, congestion, and negative environmental impacts.

The article examines the key international conventions and agreements to which Ukraine has acceded in order to strengthen the regulatory framework for the development of logistics hubs. Particular emphasis is placed on the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure, which aims to simplify customs formalities and enhance the efficiency of cross-border freight movement, as well as the Agreement on the Development of Multimodal Transport TRACECA, which promotes integrated transport corridors and intermodal connectivity between Europe, the Caucasus, and Asia.

In addition, the article presents the main provisions of the Handbook on the Management and Operation of Dry Ports, which summarizes international best practices in planning, managing, and operating logistics hubs. The handbook’s recommendations regarding institutional models, governance structures, infrastructure requirements, and stakeholder coordination are analyzed in the context of their applicability to Ukraine. A comparative analysis of domestic and international regulatory acts is conducted, identifying key gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities for harmonization. The findings highlight the need to adapt Ukrainian legislation to international standards in order to enhance the competitiveness, sustainability, and integration of national logistics hubs into global transport networks.