Barriers to the Development of Intermodal Transport: The Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Intermodal transport (IT), involving the integration of multiple modes of transport to create a sustainable, efficient, and competitive system, faces significant challenges in transition countries. Under conditions of limited infrastructure capacity, institutional and market barriers, and regulatory challenges, the development of IT in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) remains constrained. This paper aims to identify and structure the key barriers that hinder the development of IT in B&H, by means of a comprehensive analysis and comparison with the region and the European Union (EU). The specific nature of B&H lies in its fragmented institutional framework, resulting from a complex political structure and a lack of coordination between entities, which hinders the institutionalization of the sector and the adoption of a unified IT development strategy. Infrastructure barriers include the lack of modern intermodal terminals, inadequate rail and inland waterway infrastructure, and limited connectivity between transport modes. In addition, market barriers include low service competitiveness and limited attractiveness of IT for private investors due to the uncertainty of the legal and regulatory framework. Regulations are often misaligned, and harmonization and standardization processes are slowed by administrative barriers and the lack of effective policy implementation. These barriers contribute to the marginalization of IT within the overall transport system of B&H.