This paper presents an assessment of enabling technologies in intermodal freight transport. It first identifies the technologies used in intermodal freight transport globally using a systematic literature review. Then, it characterizes intermodal freight transport in the context of low-income countries to assess the potential application of digitalization and automation for the countries. Countries with a per capita gross national income (GNI) lower than $1025 are categorized as low-income countries. To achieve the objectives, a review was undertaken of 147 published articles from Scopus, Web of Science, and Transport Research International Documentation (TRID). Furthermore, distinctions of intermodal transport in low-income countries were also characterized using gray literature. A number of enabling technologies applied at components of intermodal transport were identified. The results demonstrated that several enabling technologies such as wireless communication technology, sensors, positioning technology, and web-based platforms are highly utilized in intermodal freight transport globally. In contrast, electronic data interchange (EDI), wireless communication technologies, and web-based platforms also have potential applications in low-income countries, and their adoption should be studied further.

Performance evaluation in logistics is crucial in identifying improvement opportunities. This study assessed performance indicators (PIs) for import–export logistics chains, including transport, dry ports, transhipment and warehouses, focusing on Ethiopia. PIs were identified by means of a literature review. An expert survey based on the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used to obtain weightings for the indicators to allow an evaluation of the overall performance of the country’s import–export chains. Key challenges faced in the sector were also identified. Indicators such as turnaround time and damage frequency were given high weightings by experts for dry port PIs, security was given the highest weighting for transport PIs, and order lead time was given the highest weighting for warehouse PIs. Technological advancements, human resource capacity building and government policies were found to be the main areas that could improve the performance of logistics operations and address the challenges faced by the sector. These findings could provide a new and comprehensive picture of the key performance indicators of Ethiopian import–export logistics chains.