The logistics centres adapted to the demands of the developing countries (West and mMiddle European case)

The logistics centres are representing the multimodal terminals, operating significant cargo streams giving access for a wide variety of transport unit servicing regional, domestic and international markets, moving the burden of transport traffic out of towns. The basic functions of these centres are transport, handling, storage, sorting, labelling, repackaging, renting of area, consulting etc. The centres should posses an easy access to the main roads (highways) railways, inland waterways realising international transport, as well as sea-land transportation corridors. The existing logistics centres in Europe are economically effective bringing high profit and promoting development of the region. The localisation of the logistic centre generally depends on the volume category and intensification of cargo streams tending to the area where the centre has to be established. Also other factors have to be taken into consideration as local basic provisions, localisation of local suppliers and consumers in the trade chain, the environment, access to the arterial roads, costs of the building site, operation costs, etc. It is well known that ports as transport centres develop capacities as logistics centres as well. The examples might have been given basing on experiences of the rrwst active ports in Western Europe and Middle Europe including Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremen and Rostock The centre in Bremen is located close to the well-developed international seaport occupying area of 200 ha. The centre located close to the port of Rostock has started construction works in 1994 occupying total area of 150 ha with market area of 24 ha. The localisation of logistics centres in Poland has been based on the factors mentioned above including such criteria as: labour and housing market, taxes and levies, special financing possibilities, cadastrial description, supply potential of the companies, etc Having in mind logistics transportation network of the country six centres have been selected including two centres located close to the sea ports of Gdańsk-Gdynia area and Szczecin-Świnoujscie. Taking under consideration the economic and commercial situation of Alexandria port area with direct links to the five modes of transport such as: sea, river, road, railway and air, the localisation of logistics centre in this area seems to be economically justified. According to the initiative of the Egyptian Government in June 1998 the Port Said East Port Project has been worked out and implemellted. The project comprises the construction of a Hub Port and free industrial zone, container tenninal and logistics centre to the development and growth of the Egyptian economy