Changes in Logistics Activities in Poland as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to identify the direction of change in logistical activities and their critical segments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in a country that is an important logistical hub of Europe. The specific objectives are to identify changes in logistical activities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine the dynamics of changes in business revenues and in quantitative parameters for total logistics services and their segments during the pandemic, to establish the relationship between the economic situation and parameters related to logistics services, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the method of purposive selection, Poland, which is well developed in logistics and aspires to be a crucial logistical hub of Europe, was selected for the study. The analysed period covered the years 2015–2021. The material sources were the literature on the subject and data from reports on individual logistics segments. Dynamic indicators with a fixed and variable base, coefficient of variation and Kendall’s tau correlation coefficient were used for analysis and presentation. It was found that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated changes in logistics activities. These changes included digitalisation, the development of the e-commerce market, multi-channel sales and the development of these services, and the introduction of automation and artificial intelligence. In all activities, 2020 was the most challenging year, but there was generally a reduction in revenue growth and, less often, stagnation. Logistics companies gained in the second year of the pandemic (2021) when implemented solutions generated record revenues. Among the winning segments were logistics services in general, especially sea freight forwarding, warehousing services, courier services related to e-commerce, and a lesser extent, freight transport. Losses were incurred in the segment related to passenger transport. COVID-19 became a positive catalyst for change. The logistics industry ultimately benefited from the pandemic. Additionally, due to the pandemic, logistics operations have had greater sustainability, contributing to resource conservation and environmental protection.