On Track and Water: Eastern Europe’s Sustainable Freight Path

The teaching case “On Track and Water: Eastern Europe’s Sustainable Freight Path” addresses real-world decision-making challenges in sustainable European freight transport. Students act as a logistics team at EcoTrans Logistics, assessing the feasibility of shifting container flows from road to rail and inland waterways (Danube) between Austria and Romania.
The case requires students to balance cost, service level and environmental performance, considering transit time constraints, first and last mile integration, and customer cost thresholds. Emissions are calculated using the GLEC Framework with a mandatory Well‑to‑Wheel approach.
Combining quantitative analysis with strategic reasoning, students develop a convincing, data-driven business case for modal shift. The case is well suited for Master-level courses in logistics, supply chain management and sustainable operations.