Efficient use of transport modes and resources requires understanding the options and alternatives and being able to make the right logistics choices. Benchmarking is an instrument which can help to answer this question. Differences in the performance of various modes within the transport sector of a given country, and between the transport systems of different countries, imply that there is a significant potential for improvement. Ongoing technological advances and changes in economic and institutional approaches ensure that this potential is constantly evolving. The transportation sector is influenced and moulded by ongoing economic, environmental and political (usually in the form of public finances) pressures to realise its potential for improvement. BE LOGIC project vision In our opinion, the major improvement potential in logistics performance is among small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs’), including shippers with relative small transport volumes. Therefore, the focus in BE LOGIC lies on applying the logistics benchmark methodology on SME’s. Key objectives of BE LOGIC - Improve the efficiency within and across different modes of transport - Support the development of a quality logistics system Derived objectives and research questions: - Develop a methodology to assess transport logistics performance in quantitative terms at different levels in Europe and globally - Applying the benchmark methodology to assess logistics and intermodal policies of Member States and other countries - and to assess transport logistics choices and performance from shippers/LSP - and to assess transport logistics performance from transshipment points - Examine existing quality standards (e.g. ISO, CEN) for transport logistics - Consider the need for new quality standards for transport logistics Our approach includes 3 viewpoints: - Viewpoint from the policy maker . - Viewpoint from transport chains - Viewpont from transhipment points