On 17 October 2024, the eFTI4EU project hosted its inaugural Yearly Conference at the Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU in Brussels. The event, titled “Freight Transport in the Digital Age,” brought together stakeholders from across the logistics and transport sectors, including representatives from inland waterway transport (IWT), to discuss the progress and future of electronic freight transport information (eFTI).
Advancing Towards a Paperless Transport System
The conference opened with a keynote address by Annika Kroon, Head of Unit at DG MOVE, who underscored the transformative potential of eFTI in making transport entirely paperless. Kroon emphasised that eFTI not only aims to eliminate paper-based processes across all Member States but also aspires to set a global standard for digital freight documentation. She described eFTI as a foundational step towards fully digitalised logistics, creating a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable supply chain.
Eva Killar, Project Coordinator for eFTI4EU and Head of Mobility Development at the Estonian Ministry of Climate, provided an overview of the project’s achievements and objectives. She highlighted the collaborative spirit among participants, which has enabled diverse perspectives to shape innovative solutions. Killar reaffirmed that by 2027, the groundwork will be laid for eFTI implementation across the EU, with Member States leveraging the project’s results to avoid starting from scratch.
IWT Perspectives on eFTI Implementation
For the inland waterway transport sector, the adoption of eFTI presents a unique opportunity to modernise and harmonise operations. During the event, several IWT representatives shared insights on how eFTI can benefit the sector:
Integration with existing systems: The Flemish Waterway Administration emphasised the importance of aligning eFTI with established platforms like the EU’s River Information Services (RIS) to ensure interoperability and avoid redundancy.
Accessibility for small operators: Stakeholders stressed that eFTI solutions must remain simple and affordable, particularly for SMEs and family-owned vessel operators, to ensure broad adoption.
Data harmonisation: A unified European data-sharing environment was identified as a critical enabler for standardising processes and ensuring smooth cross-border operations.
Benefits for Operators and Authorities
The dual advantages of eFTI were a recurring theme throughout the conference. For economic operators, eFTI promises to simplify reporting requirements, reduce administrative burdens, and expedite payments. For competent authorities, the digital framework will enhance transparency, improve vessel tracking, and streamline enforcement activities while ensuring clear liability throughout the logistics chain.
Targeted training for smaller operators was recognised as essential to support their transition to digital tools. Panel discussions also explored the importance of fostering collaboration between competent authorities and economic operators to maximise eFTI’s impact.
Expanding the Vision: The eFTI4ALL Project
The launch of the eFTI4ALL project was another highlight of the conference. Building on the successes of eFTI4EU, this new initiative aims to expand the scope of eFTI by focusing on interoperability, practical use cases, and the specific needs of economic operators. Matti Lankinen, CEO of Vediafi, introduced the project and outlined its potential to further integrate eFTI standards across the logistics sector.
