Methodology for diagnosing ecosystem gaps in border regions based on assessing the integration potential of maritime freight transport

Subject. The role of maritime cargo transport in expanding Russia's regional foreign trade connections. Objectives. Developing a methodology that allows identifying ecosystem gaps that block the transformation of the potential of maritime cargo transport into economic results. Methods. A system for assessing the development potential of maritime cargo transport is proposed, taking into account various parameters (technical condition of ports, efficiency of customs procedures, digitalization, cargo turnover, profitability, connectivity of routes, etc.). Results. A calculation for four of Russia's border regions showed that the potential of maritime freight transport is not being fully used. Conclusions. The effectiveness of complex systems, including maritime cargo transport, is determined not by the quality of individual components, but by the way they interact. The proposed tools can be used by regional authorities to assess the state of transport and logistics ecosystems and to justify differentiated management decisions.