###### Abstract
The main research problem addressed in the article is the need to create a methodology through theoretical research and practical tests that would allow us to determine the most optimal method of cargo transportation between ports and cargo receivers/senders, assessing the main transportation parameters (time, price), energy resources and, at the same time, identifying opportunities to later assess environmental transport parameters, such as emissions trading systems. Section 2 of this paper presents the analysis of possible cargo transportation systems between regions, seaports and final cargo destination areas supported with a literature analysis. Section 3 describes the methodology used to conduct the research. The results of case study analysis are presented in Section 4. The paper is summarized by discussions, conclusions, and directions for future research, which are presented in Sections 5 and 6. The scientific contribution of this paper is the development of a methodology for calculating a means of comparison of the transport modes, employing calculations that consider technical, economic and consumption of energy results of different vehicles in real conditions. The paper analyzes the current situation of cargo transportation between regions, as well as from ports to consignees and back. It includes transportation evaluation methods, and develops a comparative transportation evaluation methodology, including economic, technological and consumption of energy aspects. It then performs a case study, and presents the practical and theoretical significance of the research results and conclusions. The conducted analysis of available literature revealed that there are many studies that seek to optimize transport modes development and environmental sustainability in shore and waterborne transport. The reviewed studies often analyze the technical and technological aspects of sustainable transportation, which identifies organizational challenges and possible economic effects; assess the volume of pollution; and propose ways to decrease it [2; 5; 7; 8; 10; 15], but do not find an exact complex evaluation methodology in cases using different transport modes with additional parts (loading and reloading, change transport modes in reloading places, etc.). Optimization of transport modes for cargo transportation between regions, as well as from seaports to the final destination, is very important from the perspective of economics, energy savings, environmental factors related to energy aspects and reduction of roads traffic points of view [15]. Optimization of transport modes could be useful for the transport companies, cargo consignees as well as society, especially in areas with high population density, because it could reduce road congestion, especially in cities [16; 17; 18; 19]. This paper proposes improvement of cargo transportation systems between regions, seaports and final cargo destination areas by conducting an analysis of relevant literature sources. We generate a theoretical basis for improving the cargo transportation modes and its combinations, while considering means to reduce request energies. A case study is conducted to evaluate the different transport modes and consumption of energy, discussions and conclusions. Analysis of Opportunities and Literature Sources for Optimization of Freight Transport and Energy Saving in Transport Routes  
Today, a lot of cargo is transported between regions, seaports and final cargo destination areas via road, which impacts very busy roads and causes traffic jams, increasing energy consumption, generating negative environmental impact (especially, during traffic jams) and, finally, requiring additional resources [20; 21]. In most cases, cargo needs to be transported using road transport (at least for short distances), but at the same time, a major part of cargo volumes could be delivered by using energy and environmentally friendly transport modes [22; 23; 24; 25; 26]. It is worth noting that on average, one freight train can replace about 50 trucks.