Hybrid MCDM Model for Location of Logistics Hub: A Case in China Under the Belt and Road Initiative

The location of logistics nodes that facilitate the China Railway Express (CRexpress) and rail-sea intermodal transportation has received increasing attention in under Belt Road initiative. This paper selects 38 cities as candidate Chinese international container hubs (CICIHs) through qualitative screening by considering current operations CRexpress/rail-sea government planning strategies. Subsequently, five connectivity indexes are proposed to reflect node performance multiple modes stages a chain. In view shortcomings grey relational analysis-technique for order preference similarity ideal solution (GRA-TOPSIS) method, hybrid multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model is comprehensively evaluate hub location. based on area (GARA-TOPSIS) combination with analytic hierarchy process, entropy method game theory. Tianjin, Harbin, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, Xi'an, Urumqi, Guangzhou, Shanghai Nanning selected final CICIHs, geographical location, economic development national policy pertaining A sensitivity analysis index weight coefficient comparative different MCDM methods performed. robustness stability verified. study can support selection CICIHs expand applications decision-making field.