Freight transportation is a key supply chain component to ensure the efficient movement and timely availability of raw materials and finished products (Crainic, 2003). Demand for freight transportation results from producers and consumers who are geographically apart from each other. Following trade globalization, the conventional road mode is no longer an all-time feasible solution, necessitating other means of transportation (and their combinations). In this regard, in 2010 about 45.8% of total freight transportation in European union countries were transported via road, 36.9% via sea, around 10.2% via rail, and 3.8% via inland waterways (EUROSTAT, 2012).
The freight transportation market has witnessed several trends. In many parts of the world, new markets are rising and the customer base is growing. Furthermore, several trade regulations encourage easier and smoother international trade. Following the economic crisis in 2008, many industries browsed their business processes in order to decrease their costs and increase performance. As a consequence, shippers, carriers, and Logistics Service Providers (LSP) were urged to work at lower cost, while still maintaining high quality. Companies saw the solution in more cooperation and integration, as such utilizing resources more efficiently.
Besides economic factors, environmental concerns are high on the agenda. New regulations and taxes were raised to encourage companies to shift to more sustainable solutions. Clearly, in this context, efficient and effective transportation is needed, as the transportation cost share in the supply chain is significant (Ghiani, Laporte, & Musmanno, 2013).